Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by ticks.
Antibiotics can treat Lyme disease. If you do not treat Lyme disease, it can lead to problems with your skin, joints, heart, and nervous system. These problems can develop weeks, months, or even years after you get the infection.
One sign of Lyme disease is a round, red rash that spreads at the site of a tick bite. This rash can get very large. Flu-like symptoms are also common. If Lyme disease goes untreated, you can develop swelling and pain in your joints, plus problems with your heart and nervous system.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics even if it is not yet certain that you have Lyme disease.