Imagine being on vacation in Maine with your friends or family
and traveling to Acadia National Park.
While there, you decided to explore this
beautiful place by hiking. It is midsummer and the weather is perfect. After one
of the most amazing days, you are back at your room cleaning up and find
something attached to your skin. Once you realize it is a tick, you pull it off
and try not to worry about it.
About a week later, you are relaxing at home
reflecting on your great trip when you notice a weird mark on your skin. This
mark is referred to as the “bulls eye” which is indicative of Lyme disease
caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi.
This is the first sign of Lyme disease cause by bacteria
that the Ixodes scapularis or deer
tick carries. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include rheumatoid arthritis,
AV heart block and others. Treatment is needed as soon as possible.
Word count: 159