Lyme disease is a type of bacterial infection that occurs after a person is bitten by a tick. After the tick attaches itself to the person's body, the infection begins to spread throughout the blood stream. Walking in tall grass, having a pet that is infested with ticks and performing outside activities are some of the risk factors for Lyme disease.What are some of the signs of Lyme disease?A person who is infected with Lyme disease will usually notice the symptoms within a few weeks. The symptoms of this condition can closely mimic those of the flu. Body itching, fever, chills, headache and muscle stiffness are just a few of the symptoms associated with Lyme disease.The symptoms will continue to get worse if this condition is left untreated. It is important to note that there are three stages of Lyme disease. Facial paralysis, heart palpitations and muscle pain are some symptoms of stage 2 Lyme disease. Nerve damage, muscle weakness and vision problems are some of the symptoms of stage 3 Lyme disease. The effects of stage 3 Lyme disease can be long-term.How can Lyme disease be treated?Antibiotics are the standard treatment for Lyme disease. These medications work by destroying the bacterial infection. An infected person can begin taking antibiotics 72 hours after the tick is removed. People usually take the antibiotics anywhere from two to four weeks. Patients who have muscle stiffness and pain may be prescribed a pain medication, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol.Can Lyme disease be prevented?Avoiding contact with Ticks is the only way that Lyme disease can be prevented. This can be hard to do, so people who will be spending time in wooded areas need to make sure that they wear tick repellent. People who do come in contact with ticks should remove the tick right away and wash the area with soap and water.