Borrelia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Borrelia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Spirochaetes
Family:	Spirochaetaceae
Genus:	Borrelia

Borrelia is a type of bacteria that looks like a spiral. These tiny germs can cause serious illnesses in people and animals. The most well-known disease caused by Borrelia is Lyme disease.

What are Borrelia?

Borrelia are very small living things. They belong to a group of bacteria called spirochaetes. This means they have a unique spiral shape. Imagine a tiny corkscrew; that's a bit like how they look.

Scientists have found 36 different kinds, or species, of Borrelia. Not all of them cause sickness. About 12 of these species are known to cause a disease called borreliosis. Lyme disease is the most common type of borreliosis.

How Borrelia Spreads

Borrelia bacteria are often spread by small creatures. These creatures are called vectors. The main vectors for Borrelia are ticks and lice.

• Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures. They live in grassy or wooded areas. Ticks can attach to people and animals. When they bite, they can pass Borrelia into the bloodstream.
• Lice are small insects. They live on the skin or hair of people and animals. Lice can also spread some types of Borrelia.

The way Borrelia spreads depends on the specific kind of bacteria. For example, some Borrelia species are spread by ticks that live on rodents. This means the bacteria can move from rodents to ticks, and then to people.

Diseases Caused by Borrelia

Borrelia bacteria can cause different diseases. The most common one is Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by certain Borrelia species. Two common ones are Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia afzelii. This disease is spread mainly by ticks.

Symptoms of Lyme disease can include:

• A special skin rash that looks like a "bull's-eye."
• Fever and feeling tired.
• Headaches and muscle aches.

If not treated, Lyme disease can affect joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Relapsing Fever

Other types of Borrelia cause a different illness. This is called relapsing fever. Species like Borrelia hermsii and Borrelia parkeri cause this.

Relapsing fever is also spread by ticks. It gets its name because the fever comes and goes. A person might have a high fever for a few days, then feel better, and then the fever comes back. This cycle can repeat several times.

Staying Safe from Borrelia

Since Borrelia is spread by ticks and lice, there are ways to protect yourself:

• When you are in grassy or wooded areas, wear long sleeves and pants.
• Use insect repellent that works against ticks.
• Check your body carefully for ticks after being outdoors.
• If you find a tick, remove it carefully and quickly.

If you think you might have been bitten by a tick or have symptoms of these diseases, it's important to tell an adult or see a doctor.