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Risk Factors for Lyme Disease

Risk factors for becoming infected with Lyme disease include:

  • Living in an area where Lyme disease is common. Most cases of Lyme disease are found in the northeastern United States.
  • Spending time outdoors during the warm months of the year, when ticks that can carry Lyme disease are most active. Ticks are most commonly encountered between May and November, with peak activity in June and July.
  • Working or playing in grassy or wooded areas, such as gardening or doing yard work, hiking, camping, hunting, or fishing.
  • Having indoor/outdoor pets that can bring infected ticks into the home.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology
Last Revised August 31, 2010

Last Revised: August 31, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology

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