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НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Серпень 2026 39 OUR HEALTH Ihor Magun, MD, FACP Although Lyme disease was iden - tified as a specific infection only in 1975, it has been around for centuries. In 1975, physicians noted an increase in reported ju - venile rheumatoid arthritis near the town of Lyme, Connecticut. However, it wasn’t until 1981 that scientists were able to pin - point the bacteria spread by a tick bite to humans. Lyme disease is the most com - mon vector-borne illness in the United States. The most com - mon locations to encounter ticks that carry the disease are the Northeast (Connecticut, Massa - chusetts, Vermont, New York); Mid-Atlantic (Maryland, Pennsyl - vania, New Jersey); Upper Mid - west (Wisconsin, Minnesota); and Pacific (Northern California, Oregon). The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease follow a distinctive pattern. Stage one is a localized infec - tion characterized as a “bullseye” rash referred to as erythema mi - grans. The rash may happen at any time between one and four weeks. The rash may spread, but Lyme Disease not everyone will develop a rash. Associated symptoms may pre- sent as fatigue, headache, mus - cle/joint pains, or fever. These symptoms can last three to four weeks after the tick bite, which incidentally is painless. Stage two develops if untreat - ed and is referred to as early disseminated disease. Symp - toms include back, hip, or neck pain; muscle weakness on the face; and diffuse rashes on the hands or feet. An irregular heart rhythm can occur, as well as pos - sible visual issues. Stage three is referred to as disseminated Lyme disease. This can occur months to years after the initial infection and can last for years. Symptoms are primar - ily rheumatologic, affecting the knees and large joints. Neurolog - ical issues may also be present. Confirmation of the disease requires a blood test. The issue with this test is that it may take several weeks for the body to produce enough antibodies for the test to be positive. Treatment with oral antibiotics is determined without a blood test if the characteristic rash is present after a known tick bite that has been attached for at least 24 hours. To prevent Lyme disease, wear appropriate clothing, use insect repellant, and examine exposed skin areas for ticks. If a tick is found, use tweezers to remove it. If part of the tick re - mains in the skin, it will eventual - ly come out on its own. Swab the area afterwards with an alcohol wipe to disinfect the skin. A vaccine is in the late stages of development, but in the mean - time heed recommended advice and seek medical attention early if the disease is suspected. Education and prevention are the best measures to enjoy the great outdoors.
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