Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S. and is caused by bacteria transmitted to people through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks.

Understanding the symptoms of Lyme disease are essential to get early treatment, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Typical symptoms include:

• Fever;
• Headache;
• Fatigue, and
• A skin rash called erythema migrans.

If left untreated, the infection can sometimes to spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Doctors typically diagnose Lyme disease, the CDC adds, based on its characteristic symptoms, a physical examination, laboratory tests and the likelihood of exposure to infected ticks. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics, the CDC said.

Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during the summer months. There are many steps that can help to reduce people’s exposure to deer ticks and lessen their chances of getting Lyme disease.

According to the CDC, these include:

• Know where to expect ticks — Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
• Avoid Contact with Ticks Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
• Treat clothing and gear with bug repellent — Use products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.

After you come indoors, the CDC recommends:

• Check your clothing for ticks — Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks;
• Examine gear and pets — Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks;
• Shower soon after being outdoors — Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tick-borne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
• Check your body for ticks after being outdoors — Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard.
• Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check under the arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button, on the back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs, and around the waist.