Is Lyme Disease Contagious

Lyme disease is an infection that is caused by bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria is transmitted by the bites of deer ticks called Lxodes dammini. Although named deer tick, it commonly affects fury animals like dogs. They find their way on to the dogs fur when the canines wander off to woody areas or areas with tall grass. When the tick bites a person, the bacteria get an outlet to enter the body and cause infections. Lyme disease can lead to many health problems like abnormalities in the skin, heart, joints and even the nervous system. Let us first know the answer to the recurring question is Lyme disease contagious?

Lyme Disease - Is It Contagious?
Lyme disease is passed on to a person when bitten by the black-legged tick or deer tick. It is very difficult to spot deer ticks as the nymphs are the size of poppy seeds and mature deer ticks are size of a sesame seed. Lyme disease is not contagious and cannot be passed on from an infected person to a healthy person. It is not even a contagious animal disease. It cannot be passed on through flies, mosquitoes, fleas, etc. The only definite source of infection is a tick bite.

It is very rare for a mother to pass on the Lyme disease to her breast-fed child. Many doctors ask nursing mothers to avoid nursing for some time as a precautionary step. Pregnant women infected with Lyme disease may affect the unborn child as the antibiotics given to the mother may harm the fetus. If you are suffering from Lyme disease, you should not donate blood as a precautionary measure. I hope you have found the answer to Lyme disease, is it contagious? It is not contagious and the best way to avoid is prevention.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The symptoms of Lyme disease are divided into three stages. During the early symptoms of Lyme disease, you may observe a rounded rash. The rash develops within 1 to 2 weeks of infection. The rash can be easily distinguished as Lyme disease rash, by its Bull's eye appearance. The rash has a central spot that is surrounded by clear skin. The expanding ring of redness is solid red in color. You may find it warm on touch and does not feel itchy. People with a dark skin tone may observe the rash similar to a bruise.

The rash will disappear within a month and may never develop in some people. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, headache, muscle pain. Then Lyme disease may cause uneven heart rhythm, chest pain and problems in the nervous system. If the nervous system is affected it may lead to facial paralysis, stinging, numbness in arms and legs.

The last stage of Lyme disease may be seen before the development of the initial and secondary symptoms. People may suffer from headaches and may be unable to move their necks. This may be sign of meningitis. The large joints may swell and become painful. Symptoms of Lyme disease may be seen within weeks or years after the initial infection. You can read more in detail on cures for Lyme disease.

You can prevent Lyme disease by protecting your self with vaccination. 85% of the people vaccinated were saved from this disease. You should speak to your doctor if you are living in a high risk area. Although, Lyme disease is not contagious, it is a very dangerous disease. I hope this article has solved your query on - is Lyme disease contagious.