Smileband health topics

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease caused by the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The majority of cases in the United States come from endemic states in the Midwest and East coast areas. Lyme disease is not endemic to Arizona due to the absence of the species of tick that spreads the bacteria. Asking travel history is very important to assessing risk for Lyme disease.

 

Symptoms tend to be nonspecific and may include: fever, fatigue, chills, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. A red, expanding rash called erythema migrans occurs at the site of the tick bite in approximately 70-80% of cases. Typically, rashes present as the hallmark “bull’s-eye” pattern.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 13 cases

 

Transmission
Lyme disease is spread through the bite of an infected Ixodes tick.

Incubation period from the initial bite to the appearance of erythema migrans lesions ranges from 1 to 32 days.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Western Blot	Serum
PCR	CSF,  Synovial Fluid, Whole Blood
IgG/IgM  Serology	Serum
Culture	Blood,  Skin Biopsy

  Isolation Precautions

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients
Avoid exposure to tick habitats:

• Avoid areas with overgrown grasses or brush.
• Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors.
• Apply insect repellents to skin and clothing.
• Check body for ticks after being outdoors.

Public Health Actions
Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on a case or suspect case.