Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It spreads through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (deer ticks). While the disease is more common in North America and Europe, awareness is important worldwide, including in India, where travel and outdoor exposure may increase the risk.
✅ If you are wondering “what’s Lyme disease?” — it is an infectious condition that can affect multiple systems in the body, including the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications.
What is Lyme Disease in Humans?
✅ What is Lyme disease in humans? It is a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites. Unlike mild skin infections, Lyme disease can spread throughout the body, causing fatigue, pain, and even neurological problems if left untreated.
Early Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Symptoms usually appear within 3 to 30 days of a tick bite. These include:
- A red expanding rash (bull’s-eye rash or erythema migrans)
- Fever, chills, and fatigue
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headache and swollen lymph nodes
⚠️ Note: Not all patients develop the rash.
Neurological Lyme Disease
If untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the nervous system, leading to neurological Lyme disease.
Symptoms of neurological involvement may include:
- Facial palsy (drooping of one or both sides of the face)
- Severe headaches and neck stiffness
- Tingling, numbness, or shooting pains in arms and legs
- Memory issues or difficulty concentrating
✅ In some cases, chronic neurological Lyme disease may develop, where nerve-related symptoms persist even after treatment.
Advanced Symptoms (If Untreated)
If left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. Advanced symptoms include:
- Arthritis with joint swelling (often in the knees)
- Irregular heartbeat or chest pain
- Severe fatigue and nerve pain
- Cognitive difficulties (sometimes mistaken for other neurological disorders)
Can Lyme Disease Kill You?
✅ Many people ask, “Can Lyme disease kill you?” While it is rarely fatal, untreated Lyme disease can cause serious complications such as heart rhythm disturbances, meningitis, or severe neurological issues. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing life-threatening outcomes.
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
Doctors rely on:
- Patient history (possible tick exposure)
- Physical signs (rash, fever, joint issues)
- Laboratory tests (ELISA and Western blot confirm the infection)
🧪 Lyme Disease Test at DNA Labs India
To confirm the infection, DNA Labs India offers the:
👉 Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) IgG Immunoblot Test
Test Details:
- Sample Required: Blood sample
- Methodology: IgG Immunoblot (highly specific confirmatory test)
- Reporting Time: 4–6 working days
- Purpose: Detects antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi to confirm Lyme disease infection
📌 Why choose this test?
- Reliable & accurate results
- Confirms diagnosis after screening
- Recommended for patients with unexplained rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain following possible tick exposure
Treatment for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics:
- Doxycycline – common for adults and older children
- Amoxicillin or cefuroxime – suitable for children and pregnant women
Most patients recover fully, though some may experience lingering symptoms. This condition is sometimes referred to as chronic Lyme disease, where fatigue, joint pain, or neurological symptoms may last months.
Prevention Tips
- Wear protective clothing when outdoors
- Use insect repellents (DEET or permethrin)
- Check your body, clothes, and pets after being outdoors
- Remove ticks quickly with fine-tipped tweezers
FAQs
What’s Lyme disease?
👉 Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection that affects humans, leading to rash, fever, joint pain, and sometimes neurological problems.
What is chronic Lyme disease?
👉 Chronic Lyme disease refers to persistent symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, or neurological problems even after treatment.
Can Lyme disease kill you?
👉 In rare cases, untreated Lyme disease can cause fatal complications affecting the heart or brain.
What is Lyme disease in humans?
👉 It is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by tick bites, and can affect multiple organs.
What is neurological Lyme disease?
👉 It is a form of Lyme disease that affects the nervous system, causing headaches, facial palsy, memory issues, and neuropathic pain.
Final Thoughts
Lyme disease is preventable and treatable, but awareness is the key. If you develop a rash, fever, or neurological symptoms after a tick bite, consult a doctor and consider a Lyme Disease Test.
At DNA Labs India, we provide the Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) IgG Immunoblot Test to ensure accurate and reliable diagnosis.
