An expert on tick-borne diseases, Alan G. Barbour explains the course of illness that results from infection, diagnosis and treatment options, and steps that can be taken to avoid a tick bite in the first place. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease may also transmit other disease-causing pathogens, and these other infections are considered as well.

Early infection and the immune response -- Late infection and its complications -- The pathogen, its vector, and its reservoirs -- The ecology of lyme disease -- Approach to diagnosis -- Laboratory tests: the basics -- Putting laboratory testing in its place -- Antibiotics and lyme disease: the basics -- Putting the antibiotics to use -- After antibiotic therapy ends -- Deer ticks transmit other diseases -- Preventing lyme disease: community-wide measures -- Preventing lyme disease: personal and household protection.