Q Is there any relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Lyme disease? Can Lyme disease make RA worse? Am I more susceptible to Lyme disease because of my RA?
A
Rheumatoid arthritis and Lyme disease share some overlapping symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain and stiffness. Lyme disease is caused by borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted through a tick bite, and RA is an autoimmune disease with causes that are not yet fully understood. Typically, RA starts in smaller joints like the hands and is more symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body.
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