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The tick season has finally arrived, prompting authorities to spread awareness about Lyme disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently explained the transmission dynamics of Lyme disease amid the tick season. The causative agents of Lyme disease in the United States, Borrelia burgdorferi, and, infrequently, B. mayonii, are disseminated to humans through the bites of infected ticks.

The blacklegged tick (also known as the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) transmits the infection in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central regions of the United States, while the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is responsible for transmission along the Pacific Coast. The transmission of Lyme disease can be prevented by averting tick bites and promptly eliminating ticks.

The prevalence of infected ticks varies, ranging from none to over 50%, contingent upon the geographical area and life stage. In the majority of regions in the southeastern United States, blacklegged ticks are almost never infected.

Adult ticks are generally akin to the size of a sesame seed, while nymphal ticks are akin to the size of a poppy seed. The life cycle of blacklegged ticks spans 2 to 3 years, encompassing four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Larval and nymphal ticks acquire Lyme disease bacteria when they feed on an infected wildlife host, typically a rodent. The bacteria are then transmitted to the succeeding life stage, subsequently enabling nymphs or adult females to disseminate the bacteria during their next blood meal.

Contrary to popular belief, female ticks infected with Lyme disease bacteria do not transmit the infection to their offspring. Deer serve as a vital source of blood for ticks, contributing to their survival and migration to new areas. However, deer are not reservoirs for Lyme disease bacteria and thus do not infect ticks.

Typically, a tick must be attached for more than 24 hours before the transmission of the Lyme disease bacterium occurs. Prompt removal of a tick within 24 hours significantly reduces the risk of contracting Lyme disease.

In regions of the eastern United States where Lyme disease cases are prevalent, individuals may encounter blacklegged ticks carrying bacteria from spring through fall. Nymphs pose a particularly high risk due to their abundance and diminutive size, making them arduous to detect.

Notably, Lyme disease patients are frequently oblivious to tick bites prior to experiencing symptoms. While adult female ticks can also transmit the bacteria, they are more likely to be detected and removed before transmission due to their larger size.

Regarding other modes of transmission, untreated Lyme disease during pregnancy can result in placental infection, although transmission from mother to fetus is exceedingly rare. However, appropriate antibiotic treatment mitigates any heightened risk of adverse birth outcomes. Despite this, there's a dearth of published studies evaluating the developmental trajectories of children whose mothers contracted Lyme disease during pregnancy.

There are no documented cases of Lyme disease transmission to infants via breast milk. Should you receive a Lyme disease diagnosis while breastfeeding, it's crucial to inform your doctor to ensure the prescription of breastfeeding-safe antibiotics.

While there are no reported instances of Lyme disease transmission through blood transfusion, researchers have discovered that Lyme bacteria can persist in stored donated blood. Consequently, individuals undergoing Lyme disease treatment with antibiotics should refrain from donating blood. However, those who have completed antibiotic regimens for Lyme disease may be eligible blood donors. Updated criteria for blood donation can be accessed on the Red Cross website.

There is no scientifically substantiated evidence supporting the spread of Lyme disease through casual contact, sexual activity, or breastfeeding. Moreover, Lyme disease is not transmissible through blood transfusion, consumption of game meat, or exposure to air, food, water, or other arthropods. Lone star ticks, the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the brown dog tick are incapable of transmitting Lyme disease bacteria, although they may transmit other pathogens causing tickborne illnesses.