What is Lyme disease?Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, which you can get if an infected deer tick (also called black-legged tick) bites you. Ordinary "wood ticks" and "dog ticks" don’t carry the infection.The first recognition of Lyme disease, also called borreliosis, began in 1975 when many children received a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Lyme, Connecticut, and two neighboring towns. Researchers found that bites from infected deer ticks were responsible for the outbreak of arthritis.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyWhat are the stages (phases) of Lyme disease?Lyme disease may evolve through phases (stages), which can overlap and cause symptoms that may involve the skin, joints, heart or nervous system. These stages are:Early localized Lyme disease (weeks one through four).Early disseminate...
