Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLyme SymptomsTick to HumanSaliva and BloodAnimal to HumanThrough SexMother to ChildIf You’re BittenFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lyme Symptoms
Tick to Human
Saliva and Blood
Animal to Human
Through Sex
Mother to Child
If You’re Bitten
Frequently Asked Questions
There are, however, a few other ways that Lyme can potentially be passed from one person to the next. Still, it is very unlikely.
This article reviews how Lyme disease spreads, what is known about human to human transmission, and whether Lyme spreads from animals to humans.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
How to Tell If You Have Lyme
One of the telltale signs that doctors look for whendiagnosingLyme disease is a bull’s-eye-shaped rash. This rash continues to expand over the next one to four weeks, starting at the red dot from the original bite.
Common Lyme diseasesymptomsinclude:
If left untreated, more serious conditions, likearthritis, Bell’s palsy, andneuropathy, can develop. The vast majority of people who are treated for Lyme disease make a full recovery.
Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. You’ll want to watch out for tiny black-legged ticks, called deer ticks. Deer ticks can be tricky to find since they may be as small as a poppy seed. The nymphs are less than two millimeters in size.
Tick to Human Lyme Disease Transmission
For Lyme disease to spread from a tick to a human, the infected tick mustbite you and remain attachedfor at least 24 to 36 hours. The ticks, who often live in tall grass and wooded areas, cling to humans in places that are hard to detect. Most of the ticks that transmit Lyme disease are young (nymphs). These smaller, immature ticks are even harder to discover on the body.
Tick bites can happen almost all year round but are most common in the spring and summer months. There is no concrete evidence that a person can transmit Lyme disease to another human, except for the possibility of a pregnant person with untreated Lyme disease transferring the infection to their unborn child.
Once a tick finds an attachment site on your skin, it makes an incision to place its feeding tube. It secretes substances to help it stay in place. Tick saliva has properties that numb your skin so you’re less likely to feel it. As the tick slowly sucks your blood, it can transmit bacteria that cause infections, like Lyme disease.
If you’re worried about contracting Lyme disease, takeprecautionsto avoid ticks in the first place:
Is Lyme Disease Contagious Through Salvia or Blood?
Lyme disease cannot be passed from person to person through saliva. Kissing or sharing the same cup with an individual with Lyme disease is not cause for concern. Lyme disease cannot travel through saliva from one person to another.
Lyme disease is detectable in blood tests. Since it is present in the bloodstream, experts advise against donating blood until after completing the prescribed course of antibiotics. Delaying blood donation is a merely preventative measure, as there have been no reported cases of Lyme disease transmission through blood transfusions.
Can I Catch Lyme From My Pets?
Pet owners often worry about catching Lyme from a dog or cat.
Although pets can contract Lyme disease, no evidence suggests that dogs can spread their Lyme disease to humans. They can, however, carry infected ticks in from outside. These ticks can then bite and transmit the disease to you.
Just as you should check yourself over when you’ve come in from being in the yard or going on a hike, thoroughly checking your pets for ticks is also key. Pets can take preventive medications that help kill ticks before they get a chance to transmit infections.
There are many preventive tick treatments and even a Lyme vaccine for animals. However, you should know that the products that are safe and effective for dogs and cats are not the same. In fact, some chemicals meant to kill ticks are extremely toxic to cats. Always talk to your vet before using any preventive on your pets or around your yard.
Is Lyme Transmitted Through Sex?
Research on the possible sexual transmission of Lyme disease has left some questions unanswered. It’s not clear if humans can pass Lyme disease to each other through sexual contact.
The molecular structure of Lyme disease is similar to a strain of syphilis, so scientists think it’s possible that transmission via mucous membranes could happen.
One study identified the presence of Lyme disease in the genital secretions of those who were infected, suggesting possible transmission between sexually active partners.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there is not enough scientific evidence to support the theory that Lyme disease may be sexually transmitted. The CDC suggests that it is more likely for sexual partners to contract a similar strain of Lyme through tick bites occurring around the same time, even if one partner was bitten unknowingly.
Can Lyme Disease Be Transmitted During Pregnancy?
If a pregnant person is infected and untreated, Lyme disease can pass to the fetus. With the proper use of antibiotics, people who are pregnant can avoid the adverse effects of Lyme for themselves and their babies.
There is no evidence of babies contracting Lyme through breast milk. If a breastfeeding person gets Lyme after pregnancy, there’s no reason to worry about transmission through breastfeeding.
If you get Lyme, let your healthcare provider know that you’re nursing, as they may prescribe you an antibiotic that’s safe for breastfeeding.
What to Do If You Get a Tick Bite
If you have a tick bite, remove the tick from your body as soon as possible. Use a pair of tweezers and remove the entire tick from your skin without crushing it. Once the tick is out, wash the site with soap and water.
Keep an eye on the area for a rash that slowly expands, leaving a target-shaped mark. Also, watch for fevers, chills, headaches, or muscle pains, which are all early signs of Lyme disease. If you experience any of these symptoms within 30 days of the bite, you shouldcontact a doctor.
Fortunately, most cases can be treated with a two- to four-week course of oral antibiotics.
Summary
You can’t catch Lyme from kissing someone with the infection. Scientists are not certain if Lyme can be passed through sex, but it seems to be extremely unlikely.
If a pregnant person gets Lyme they can pass it to the fetus if they don’t get treatment. There is no evidence of Lyme being spread to babies through breastfeeding.
If you’re worried that Lyme disease is contagious from animals to humans, know that there is no evidence that this can happen. While you can’t catch Lyme from your pet, they can bring ticks into your home that might bite you.
A Word From Verywell
If you love hiking, gardening, or just being out in nature, there’s no reason to let ticks stop you from enjoying the great outdoors. Avoiding tick bites and checking your skin for signs of a bite will help you stay ahead of the dangers that can occur when Lyme disease goesuntreated.
Lyme disease is not known to be transmitted through other vector insects, including mosquitos, fleas, or lice.
Black-legged ticks must be attached for at least 24 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease.From that point, it may take three to 30 days for you to develop symptoms.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported in the U.S. each year. The agency estimates that as many as 446,000 more may go unreported.
No. However, it does alter the immune system, prompting an attack on healthy cells—which is why it presents itself similarly to some autoimmune diseases. It may also affect the development of autoimmunity in someone who already has a genetic predisposition.Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?
No. However, it does alter the immune system, prompting an attack on healthy cells—which is why it presents itself similarly to some autoimmune diseases. It may also affect the development of autoimmunity in someone who already has a genetic predisposition.
Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Learn MoreLyme Disease Treatment
If it’s not treated, Lyme disease can lead to serious health problems in the joints, brain, and heart.In some cases, people have lasting Lyme symptoms even if they get treatment.Learn MoreComplications of Untreated Lyme
If it’s not treated, Lyme disease can lead to serious health problems in the joints, brain, and heart.In some cases, people have lasting Lyme symptoms even if they get treatment.
Learn MoreComplications of Untreated Lyme
What Is Chronic Lyme?
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Transmission.LaMorte WW. Boston University School of Public Health.Transmission of Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Preventing ticks on your pets.Middelveen MJ, Burke J, Sapi E, et al.Culture and identification of Borrelia spirochetes in human vaginal and seminal secretions.F1000Res. 2015;3:309. doi:10.12688/f1000research.5778.3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).John Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).Mead PS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chapter 4 - Travel-related infectious diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Data and Surveillance.John Hopkins Medicine.Research story tip: Lyme disease bacteria alter immune system and may cause it to attack healthy cells.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs of Untreated Lyme Disease.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Transmission.LaMorte WW. Boston University School of Public Health.Transmission of Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Preventing ticks on your pets.Middelveen MJ, Burke J, Sapi E, et al.Culture and identification of Borrelia spirochetes in human vaginal and seminal secretions.F1000Res. 2015;3:309. doi:10.12688/f1000research.5778.3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).John Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).Mead PS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chapter 4 - Travel-related infectious diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Data and Surveillance.John Hopkins Medicine.Research story tip: Lyme disease bacteria alter immune system and may cause it to attack healthy cells.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs of Untreated Lyme Disease.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Transmission.LaMorte WW. Boston University School of Public Health.Transmission of Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Preventing ticks on your pets.Middelveen MJ, Burke J, Sapi E, et al.Culture and identification of Borrelia spirochetes in human vaginal and seminal secretions.F1000Res. 2015;3:309. doi:10.12688/f1000research.5778.3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).John Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).Mead PS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chapter 4 - Travel-related infectious diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Data and Surveillance.John Hopkins Medicine.Research story tip: Lyme disease bacteria alter immune system and may cause it to attack healthy cells.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs of Untreated Lyme Disease.
Cleveland Clinic.Lyme disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Transmission.
LaMorte WW. Boston University School of Public Health.Transmission of Lyme disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Preventing ticks on your pets.
Middelveen MJ, Burke J, Sapi E, et al.Culture and identification of Borrelia spirochetes in human vaginal and seminal secretions.F1000Res. 2015;3:309. doi:10.12688/f1000research.5778.3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).
John Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center.Lyme disease frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Mead PS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chapter 4 - Travel-related infectious diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Data and Surveillance.
John Hopkins Medicine.Research story tip: Lyme disease bacteria alter immune system and may cause it to attack healthy cells.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs of Untreated Lyme Disease.
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