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May 1 marks the start of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a time to educate and raise awareness about this tick-borne illness. While Lyme disease has been recognized since the 1970s, it wasn't until 1982 that the first case was confirmed in the United States. Since then, it has become one of the most commonly reported vector-borne diseases in the country. This month serves as an opportunity to spread important information about prevention, symptoms, and treatment of Lyme disease while also supporting those who have been affected by it. So let's come together and make May a month dedicated to promoting health and wellness!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1975</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Discovery of Lyme Disease</div><div class='timeline-text'>A cluster of juvenile arthritis cases led to the identification of Lyme disease in Lyme, Connecticut.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1982</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lyme Disease Bacterium Found</div><div class='timeline-text'>The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by ticks, was identified as the cause of Lyme disease by microbiologist Willy Burgdorfer.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>CDC Surveillance Began</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began to officially track and record incidents of Lyme disease.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lyme Disease Vaccine Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>LYMErix, the only Lyme disease vaccine, was approved for human use but later taken off the market in 2002 due to low demand and lawsuits over side effect claims.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Lyme Disease Awareness Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>The inaugural National Lyme Disease Awareness Month was held in May to encourage preventive measures and raise public awareness about the disease.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>New Lyme Disease Cases Announced</div><div class='timeline-text'>The CDC estimated that nearly 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year in the U.S., ten times more than previously reported.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself and others about Lyme Disease</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to research and learn about Lyme Disease and its symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Share this information with others to raise awareness about the disease.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a fundraising event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Host a charity event such as a walk, run, or bake sale to raise funds for Lyme Disease research and support organizations. This is a great way to spread awareness while also making a positive impact.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Wear lime green clothing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Lime green is the official color of Lyme Disease awareness, so show your support by wearing this color throughout the month. You can even organize a "Lyme Green Day" at your workplace or school to get more people involved.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share your story</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you or a loved one have been affected by Lyme Disease, share your story on social media or in your community. This can help others understand the impact of the disease and motivate them to take action.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at a Lyme Disease organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Contact local organizations that support Lyme Disease research and offer to volunteer your time and skills. This is a great way to make a difference and meet others who are passionate about raising awareness for this important cause.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raise awareness and educate others</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the main reasons why National Lyme Disease Awareness Month is important is to spread knowledge and understanding about the disease. Many people still don't know much about it, and by bringing attention to it, we can also share information on prevention, symptoms, and treatment options.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Advocate for better resources and support</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By acknowledging Lyme Disease Awareness Month, we can also advocate for improved resources and support for those who are affected by the disease. This includes funding for research, access to treatment, and better insurance coverage for those living with chronic lyme.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Show support for those living with lyme disease</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Finally, celebrating National Lyme Disease Awareness Month is a way to show compassion and solidarity for those living with the disease. By participating in events or simply sharing information on social media, we can let them know that they are not alone and that their struggles are not forgotten.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Ticks That Carry Lyme Disease Can Be as Small as a Poppy Seed</h3><p class='facts-content'>The black-legged tick, or deer tick, which transmits Lyme disease, can be incredibly small - as tiny as a poppy seed, making them easy to overlook.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Over Half of Ticks in Lyme-Endemic Areas Carry the Disease </h3><p class='facts-content'>In areas where Lyme disease is common, over 50% percent of black-legged ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Lyme Disease's "Bullseye Rash" Only Occurs in 70-80% of Infected Individuals</h3><p class='facts-content'>Not everyone infected with Lyme disease will develop the distinctive bullseye rash, known medically as erythema migrans. In fact, this only occurs in 70-80% of cases.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Diagnostic Tests for Lyme Disease Can Be Unreliable</h3><p class='facts-content'>Current diagnostic tests for Lyme disease have a significant rate of false negatives, especially in the early stages of the disease when treatment is most effective.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Chronic Lyme Disease Brings on a New Wave of Symptoms</h3><p class='facts-content'>In later stages or when untreated, Lyme disease can lead to chronic illness with symptoms affecting the nervous system, joints, and heart.</p></div></div>
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month is celebrated on May 1 every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Wednesday.
2023
May 1
Monday
2024
May 1
Wednesday
2025
May 1
Thursday
2026
May 1
Friday
2027
May 1
Saturday
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