Lyme Disease

In Western medicine, Lyme disease is characterized as an infectious condition caused by the spirochete bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, most frequently transmitted through tick bites (Steere et al., 2004, Journal of the American Medical Association). The disease manifests in three primary stages: Stage one, typically occurring within 30 days post-bite, features erythema migrans, flu-like symptoms, and low-grade fever (Wormser et al., 2006, Clinical Infectious Diseases). Stage two, emerging between weeks 3-12, involves symptoms like fatigue, fever, and neurological and cardiac complications (Halperin, 2015, Journal of Neurology). Stage three, potentially developing months to years post-infection, can involve aseptic meningitis, Bell's palsy, arthritis, and cognitive deficits (Strle et al., 2017, Journal of Clinical Microbiology). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) categorizes similar symptoms under Gu Syndrome, which represents conditions resulting from invisible pathogens or of indeterminate origins and often manifests as complex chronic infections and multi-systemic issues (He et al., 2011, Chinese Medicine).