What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme is an infection of the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi that is passed through the exchange of blood between ticks and humans at the time of a tick bite. Lyme is not the only disease transmitted through tick bites, there are also many common co-infections such as babesia, bartonella, relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. The Center for Disease Control states that around 500,000 people in the United States contract Lyme each year.

where can i get it?

Lyme disease can be contracted in many areas across the United States and the rest of the world. It was discovered in Lyme, Connecticut, so the Northeastern U.S. historically has the most cases. However, Lyme is expanding to other areas as well. Ticks carrying Lyme disease are found in tall grass, leaf litter, brushy and wooded areas, in both rural areas and cities.

What are the symptoms?

Common early symptoms may include:

• Rash - may be in the shape of a "bullseye"

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Headache

• Joint/muscle pain

Symptoms of persistent Lyme, past initial infection, can include:

• Constant fatigue

• Headaches

• Numbness/Tingling

• Arthritis

• Heart issues

• Anxiety/depression/irritability

• Brain fog

• Vision/hearing issues

• Sleep disturbances

I’ve been bitten by a tick, what do I do next?

If the tick is still latched onto the skin, the first step is removal. Pull the tick steadily upward with tweezers. Either flush it down a toilet, or seal it in a bag/rubbing alcohol to bring to a health care provider for identification.

As soon as possible, contact your doctor. A long course of antibiotics is the most sure way to ward off vector-borne diseases. This would likely come in the form of doxycycline.

Make sure to pay attention to your symptoms. If anything out of the ordinary occurs, including any of the above-mentioned common symptoms, note it and mention it to your primary care physician.

What does “chronic” lyme mean?

There is a lot of controversy in the medical community over the definition of Chronic Lyme disease. Some doctors believe that it is the persistence of Lyme-like symptoms after treatment without the existence of a bacterial infection. The definition of Chronic Lyme that we at the Bitten Project follow is an ongoing bacterial infection despite treatment.

How can i support my friends/family struggling with lyme?

The best way to support others is to educate yourself! Through learning about someone else's struggles, the choices you make will come from a more empathetic place. See below for a list of resources to look into, and follow the Bitten Project for more information.

What can i do to prevent lyme?

Be aware of long grasses/bushy areas when outside. Wear long pants, socks, and shirts for extra coverage. Always be sure to check for ticks when coming inside, and not just humans! Check your pets as well. Most importantly, stay informed and up-to-date.