Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to people when a tick with the disease bites them. Lyme disease isn't very common in Florida, but it can happen to people who have been to other parts of the country where it is more common. Lyme disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, and it can be hard to figure out what it is.

The rash that shows up where the tick bit you is the most common sign of Lyme disease. This rash could be round or oval, and it could get bigger over time. Lyme disease can also cause fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and tiredness, among other things. If Lyme disease isn't treated, it can lead to more serious problems, like nerve and heart problems, if it isn't taken care of.

Most people with Lyme disease in Florida take antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin for a few weeks. The length of treatment can change based on how bad the infection is and how well the person responds to the antibiotics. In some cases, antibiotics given through a vein may be needed.

In Florida, the best way to avoid getting Lyme disease is to take precautions. Taking care to avoid tick bites is important if you spend a lot of time outside in places where ticks live. After being outside, wear long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent, and check yourself and your pets for ticks.

If you find a tick on your body, you should pull it off as soon as possible with tweezers with fine tips. Grab the tick as close as you can to the skin's surface and pull it up with steady, even pressure. Use rubbing alcohol or soap and water to clean the area around the bite.

It is also important to know what the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease are and to see a doctor if you have any of them after being bitten by a tick or spending time outside in areas where ticks live.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. An infected black-legged tick bites a person and passes on the infection. The disease can cause fever, tiredness, joint pain, and a distinctive rash, among other symptoms and problems. Lyme disease doesn't happen very often in Florida, but it is still possible to get it in some parts of the state.

Different stages of Lyme disease can cause different kinds of symptoms. In the early stages of Lyme disease, people may get a rash that looks like a bull's eye at the spot where the tick bit them. They may also feel like they have the flu, with fever, tiredness, and aches in their muscles. If Lyme disease isn't treated, it can get worse and cause joint pain, heart palpitations, and nerve damage, among other symptoms.