Spirochete infections: Lyme disease and southern tick-associated rash illness.

This article describes the etiology, symptoms and stages, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease and a cluster of similar symptoms called "Southern tick-associated rash illness." It is important for the critical care nurse to be alert to the possibility of these infections because some of the symptoms can have devastating effects on the heart and meninges. In some cases Lyme disease may be a comorbidity, not the primary reason a patient is admitted to an ICU. The cause of the symptoms must be recognized for effective treatment to be initiated.