Lyme Disease
Lyme disease - so-called because it was first reported in a group of children in the town of Lyme in Connecticut - is caused by infection by a germ called a spirochaete (the same family responsible for syphilis) which is transmitted by a bite from a tick. Sometime after the bite there is the development of a red rash called erythema chronicum migrans (because it's red - erythema, it lasts a long time - chronicum, and it spreads or migrates - migrans) in association with fever, muscle aches and pains, and swollen glands which may last for weeks. After this there may be complications involving the joints, the brain and the heart. It requires prolonged treatment with appropriate antibiotics.
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