BACTERIA

Lyme disease: causes, risk factors and transmission

Lyme disease is an infectious disease that can affect anyone. It is transmitted through the bite of a tick and can go unnoticed for years. The symptoms of this disease can also vary from person to person. In addition, this disease can have serious complications if it is not treated in time. And prevention is the best weapon you can use to combat it. But for better prevention of Lyme disease, you need to know its main causes, the factors and people at risk, and how the disease is transmitted.

What is the cause of Lyme disease?

As mentioned above, Lyme disease occurs as a result of a tick bite. However, not all ticks carry the disease. Indeed, there are hundreds of tick species, but only ticks infected with Borrelia bacteria, especially the blacklegged tick, can transmit Lyme disease to humans and mammals. During a bite, the infected tick transmits the bacteria to humans via the bloodstream. Once this bacteria enters the body, it will grow and gradually cause the various symptoms of Lyme disease to appear. The manifestations of this bacterial infection can vary from person to person. Usually, however, it appears as a redness on the skin at the site of the bite. Fever, aches and fatigue are also one of the many symptoms of Lyme disease. If left untreated, the symptoms can worsen and lead to swollen joints, facial paralysis, neck pain, severe headaches, chest pain and palpitations.

What are the characteristics of the blacklegged tick?

This is the species of tick that transmits Lyme disease to humans. The black-legged tick is also called the deer tick or Ixodes scapularis. This little beast particularly likes damp places, such as wooded areas, forests, gardens and piles of dead leaves. Ticks develop in three stages: larva, nymph and the adult phase. To move from one stage to another, the tick must feed on blood. Tick bites are painless and often go unnoticed. This makes early detection of the disease difficult. In addition, you should be aware that nymphs are usually active during the summer and spring, while adult ticks are active in the autumn.

What are the risk factors for the disease?

Lyme disease or borreliosis can affect anyone. However, there are situations that make some people more susceptible to this bacterial infection than others. Among those at risk, those who are in regular contact with nature top the list. These are generally :

However, it is important to note that even if you have been bitten by an infected tick, it does not mean that you are going to get infected. A tick that carries the bacteria does not necessarily transmit it. In addition, an infected person does not always develop Lyme disease. Finally, if detected in time, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.

How is Lyme disease transmitted?

How is it that a person who has been bitten by an infected tick  may not develop the disease? In fact, the answer to this question can be explained through the mode of transmission of Lyme disease.

In order for a tick to transmit the disease, it must be a carrier of the bacteria. Next, you should know that the risk of developing Lyme disease is very low if you get bitten and the tick does not cling to your skin for more than 24 hours. This is true even if you are bitten in places infested with ticks that carry the bacteria. The longer the tick remains on the skin, the greater the risk of getting Lyme disease. However, to avoid giving the tick a chance to cling to your skin for a long time, you should inspect hard-to-reach areas. Examples include the armpits, belly button, groins, scalp, back of the knees, behind the ears, lower buttocks and lower back.

As for other modes of Lyme disease transmission, you should be aware that your pets can bring ticks into your home. This is especially true if you live next to a green space or if you have a garden. In any case, it is always important to remember that only the tick bite transmits the bacteria responsible for this disease. There is therefore no danger of coming into contact with an infected animal or person.