Lyme disease (LD) is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States (Bratton, Edwards, Engle, Hovan, & Whiteside, 2008). The number of reported cases of LM has increased exponentially since its discovery in the 1970s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 17,000 cases of LM in 2000 and by 2009, that number had increased to 38,000 (Shapiro & Gerber, 2000). Along with the increasing number of reported cases, the geographic area of ​​Alzheimer's disease has also expanded. When LD was first discovered, the disease was largely confined to the Eastern states, between Maine and Maryland, and the Midwest, primarily Minnesota and Wisconsin (Alao & Decker, 2012). More recently, cases have been reported in northern California, Oregon, and even northern Canada and Scandinavia. Evidence suggests that climate change may have affected the geographic shift and spread of Lyme disease (Bhate & Schwartz, 2011). Pathophysiology Lyme disease is contracted by the spread of the spirochete bacteria, B. burgdorferi, to its host through the bite of an infected tick. specifically of the Ixodes species (Shapiro & Gerber, 2000). The tick must attach to its host for several hours before transmission takes place. If the tick is able to feed for more than 24 to 36 hours, it transmits its salivary secretions which contain the bacteria in question to the human host (Alao & Decker, 2012). The risk of transmission becomes significant when the tick feeds for 48 hours or more (Shapiro & Gerber, 2000). Most ticks are relatively easy to spot when they are on the body. However, if the parasite moves to less easily detected areas, such as the groin, armpits or scalp, the risk of transmission due to longer feeding time increases (Alao & Decker, 2012). Ticks ...... middle of paper ...... own tick bite in which the tick has been able to feed for at least 36 hours (Bhate & Schwartz, 2011). However, the use of prophylaxis has been debated due to concerns about antibiotic resistance. Works cited Alao, OR and Decker, CF (June 2012). Lyme disease. Disease per month, 58, 335-345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.disamonth.2012.03.005Bhate, C. and Schwartz, R.A. (April 2011). Lyme disease. CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION, 619-636. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2010.03.047Bratton, RL, Edwards, FD, Engle, RL, Hovan, MJ, & Whiteside, JW (May 2008). Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 83, 566-571. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.comShapiro, ED and Gerber, MA (August 2000). Lyme disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 31, 533-542. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4482329