Lyme disease, which is sometimes referred to as Lyme infection, is a bacterial illness. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of deer ticks (Ixodes ticks) carrying a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease was first described in Europe almost 100 years ago. It occurs most frequently in the northeastern part of the United States, with about half of all cases coming from New York and Connecticut. The disease has also been reported in the Mid-Atlantic, North Central and Pacific coastal regions of the United States.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is usually found in animals like mice and deer. It is then carried to people from these animals by Ixodes ticks (known as black-legged or deer ticks). These ticks pick up Borrelia burgdorferi when they bite these infected animals. They then infect humans by biting them and passing the bacteria into the person’s bloodstream.

The effects of Lyme disease can affect different systems in your body. These include your joints, skin, nervous system and heart. Often, these effects are described as happening in three stages, but not everyone experiences all of these stages.

Stage one usually begins with the first sign of infection being a circular rash. This rash appears within 1–2 weeks of infection, but it can develop up to 30 days after your tick bite. The rash usually has a characteristic “bull’s-eye” appearance, with a central red spot surrounded by clear skin that is ringed by an expanding red rash. This rash may also appear as an expanding ring of solid redness.

It is usually not itchy or painful and may be warm to the touch. Although this rash is considered characteristic of Lyme disease, many people never develop it.

The second stage of Lyme disease usually involves flu-like symptoms of fatigue, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. These signs and symptoms usually appear within several weeks after the tick bite.

The last stage of Lyme disease usually occurs if the disease was not detected early with appropriate treatment. These symptoms include arthritis and cognitive deterioration.

Lyme disease can cause disability. You may be disabled and in need of financial assistance because of this illness and/or complications that have resulted from it.

Have you applied for financial help from the Social Security Administration for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by Lyme disease and/or complications resulting from it? Were you denied?

You may plan on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, remember this.

You may need the counsel of a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com in what can be a difficult process. The reason for this is because people who are represented by a disability lawyer are approved more often than those people who do not have an attorney.