An update on Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne illness in North America, is a multisystem, multistage infectious disease caused by the tick-transmitted spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Although Lyme disease is not fatal, it can cause musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular manifestations that may be difficult to treat. Clinicians must also be aware of other potentially fatal tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Early identification and treatment of tick-borne diseases are crucial to preventing devastating sequelae.