Lyme disease: an increasing health risk for school-age children.

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection with noticeable short-term and serious long-term consequences, is the most common tick-borne disease. First described in 1977, Lyme disease poses a significant health threat to school-age children exposed to the tick vector primarily in three specific regions of the United States. This article describes Lyme disease and its clinical signs and symptoms, and discusses the school nurse's role in identification, management, and prevention of this new health risk.