Lyme Disease: A Silent Tick Bite Turns Into a Serious Condition—Here Are the Early Signs

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, affecting nearly 500,000 people in the United States each year.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Lyme disease affects approximately 476,000 people each year in the United States, making it one of the most significant tick-borne illnesses of our time. Named after Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first identified in 1975, this complex condition often masquerades as other illnesses, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Unlike many infectious diseases, Lyme disease doesn’t follow a predictable pattern. It progresses through stages that present different symptoms, which may overlap or appear unexpectedly. Awareness of early signs and prompt treatment is crucial.