Lyme Disease

What is Lyme Disease?

• Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi).
• It spreads through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, also called a deer tick.
  • These ticks get the bacteria from white-footed mice when they feed.
• Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Virginia.
• Anyone can get Lyme disease, but it’s most common in:
  • Children under 16
  • Adults over 30
• People who spend time outdoors—especially near forests—are more likely to get bitten by ticks.
• Lyme disease spreads mostly in May and June, but ticks are active all year.

How Does Lyme Disease Spread?

• Lyme disease only spreads through tick bites. It does not spread between people. 
• The tick must stay attached for at least 30 hours to spread the bacteria.
• Tiny nymph-stage ticks are the most likely to spread Lyme disease because they are hard to see.

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Most people (75% or more) get a bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans) near the bite.

Bull's-eye rash:

• Can grow up to 12 inches wide.
• Doesn’t itch or hurt, so it may go unnoticed, especially on the back or scalp.

Other symptoms include:

• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Muscle and joint pain

If Lyme disease isn't treated, it can cause:

• Painful, swollen joints (especially knees)
• Nerve issues like tingling, numbness, or memory problems
• Heart palpitations or dizziness

• Doctors diagnose Lyme disease based on symptoms, but blood tests can help confirm it.
• Early tests may not always detect the bacteria, so re-testing might be needed.
• Antibiotics like doxycycline can cure Lyme disease if treated early.

How Can you Prevent Lyme Disease?

• The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites and remove ticks quickly.
• Read our webpage on Ticks for more information.

More Information

• Arlington County |Ticks
• CDC | Lyme Disease
• Virginia Department of Health | Lyme Disease
• National Capital Lyme Disease Association