We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Borreliosis?

By H. Lo
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,707
Share

Borreliosis is a medical condition also known as Lyme disease. The cause of this disease is an infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Human beings contract the condition when they are bit by certain types of ticks that carry the disease. These ticks initially become infected with borreliosis when they feed on animals, such as birds, deer or mice, that carry the bacterium. The longer a tick is attached to, and feeds on, a person, the better the chances of it spreading the disease.

The main sign or symptom of borreliosis is a red, circular-shaped rash which usually shows up where the bite took place. As this rash grows larger, it might start to look like a bulls-eye; this is because the center becomes clear and contrasts with the rest of the rash. Other symptoms of the disease include those resembling the flu, such as chills, fatigue and fever. Additional and more severe symptoms to watch out for are Bell’s palsy, joint pain and stiff neck.

There are several ways a doctor might diagnose borreliosis. The bulls-eye rash is a good indicator of the disease, but not everybody who gets bit will develop a rash. Diagnosis depends on the affected person’s symptoms, as well as the possibility that the person was in an area where he might have been exposed to ticks. Some tests that the doctor might use to diagnose and confirm borreliosis are a blood test, an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) test and a Western blot test.

Borreliosis is treated with antibiotics, and many people who receive early diagnosis and treatment fully recover from the disease. In some cases, an infected person who receives treatment will continue to have symptoms that do not respond to antibiotics. The cause of this lingering condition is unknown. Without treatment, borreliosis can cause complications such as problems with memory, sleep and vision. In addition, an infected person might experience chronic joint inflammation, nerve damage and paralysis of the muscles of the face.

A person can take precautions to protect himself against borreliosis, or tick bites altogether. Ticks live in grassy or wooded environments; avoiding these areas is one way to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. If avoidance is not feasible, a person can wear insect repellent and proper clothing. In addition, after spending time in these areas, a person should check his body and clothes for ticks and, if he finds any, he should remove them.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-borreliosis.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.