Lyme Disease

Causes & Prevention

Risk Factors for Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is spread by the bite of a deer tick infected with a particular bacteria. So when considering risk factors for this illness, it's location, location, location.

The most common risk factors are:

Causes of Lyme Disease

Deer ticks are the primary cause of the spread of Lyme Disease in the United States. The ticks are brown and often no bigger than the head of the pin, which can make them nearly impossible to spot.

What Does It Mean When Medical Experts Say "Race" Is A Risk Factor For Certain Diseases?

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.