Lyme disease facts for kids
Lyme disease, also called borreliosis, is an infection that can make people sick. It's caused by tiny living things called bacteria, specifically a type named Borrelia. These bacteria are spread by small creatures called ticks. Ticks are like tiny spiders that live on animals such as mice and deer. When a tick bites a person, it can pass the bacteria to them. This means ticks are the "vectors" or carriers of the disease.
Lyme disease is the most common infection spread by ticks in the United States. For a long time, doctors knew Lyme disease was linked to ticks, but they didn't know exactly what caused it until 1982. If you get Lyme disease, it can cause problems like swollen joints, skin rashes, and issues with your brain and nerves.
What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?
If someone gets Lyme disease, they might notice different signs. It's important to know these so you can tell an adult if you feel unwell after being in nature.
Here are some common symptoms:
- A fever, which means your body temperature is higher than normal.
- A special kind of rash that looks like a "bulls-eye" target. This is called Erythema migrans.
- Pain and swelling in your joints, which is called arthritis.
- Feeling very tired, also known as fatigue.
- A headache.
- Muscle pain (myalgias) and joint pain (arthralgias).
- A stiff neck.
- Feeling cold and shivery, which are chills.
- Sometimes, it can affect your nerves, causing problems like cranial nerve palsies (where some face muscles don't work right) or even meningitis (an infection around the brain and spinal cord).
Images for kids
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Borrelia bacteria, the tiny germs that cause Lyme disease, seen up close.
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Ixodes scapularis, the main type of tick that spreads Lyme disease in eastern North America.
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The different stages of a Ixodes ricinus tick's life.
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Countries around the world where Lyme disease has been reported.
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A map from the CDC showing where Lyme disease is most common in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Enfermedad de Lyme para niños
