Ticks May Not Be The Only Pest To Cause Symptoms Of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the world. The disease is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted to humans through tick bites. Now researchers believe that ticks may not be the only pest that is capable of spreading Lyme disease. A parasite that scientists believe can transmit lyme disease has recently been discovered.

Researchers at the Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic had six different patients enter the hospital for becoming infected with the newly discovered bacteria known as Borrelia mayonii. The patients showed symptoms that were virtually identical with the symptoms that come with being infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi , which is the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Lyme disease infected twenty five thousand people in 2014, but some estimates put the 2014 total as high as two hundred thousand cases. It can be treated with antibiotics, and if caught early, the infection probably won’t cause any lasting distress in your life. However, if left untreated, even for a very short time, lifelong symptoms, such as fatigue, fever and headache can persist.

If you live in an area where Lyme disease carrying ticks can be found, then do you take any special precautions to avoid infection? If yes, which method of avoiding tick bites is most effective?