The school nurse is conducting a class for school-age children on Lyme disease. Which is characteristic of Lyme disease?

A) Difficult to prevent
B) Treated with oral antibiotics in stages 1, 2, and 3
C) Caused by a spirochete that enters the skin through a tick bite
D) Common in geographic areas where the soil contains the mycotic spores that cause the disease

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete spread by ticks. The early characteristic rash is erythema migrans. Tick bites should be avoided by entering tick-infested areas with caution. Light-colored clothing should be worn to identify ticks easily. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks should be the attire. Early treatment of the erythema migrans (stage 1) can prevent the development of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete, not mycotic spores.