In 1975 children in Lyme, Connecticut showed signs of what initially appeared to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis but they were later recognized as the first cases of “Lyme” disease.  Lyme disease can affect many parts of the body including the skin, nerves, brain, heart and joints.  It is a curable infection caused by a small corkscrew shaped microorganism called borrelia burgdorferi.  It is transmitted to humans from the intestinal tract of these ticks through a tick bite.  Although Lyme disease is an infection, you cannot catch it from an individual who already has it.  Although Lyme disease has been reported in 48 states, it is most prevalent in the northeast, upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest.  It has also been noted in Europe, Asia and Australia. 

  Springtime is tick season so now is the time to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of this disease.  Although public awareness about this disease has increased, so have fear and misunderstanding.  These ticks are most abundant in warm months and they live in low bushes and tall grass.  They get on your body as you make contact with this vegetation.  They certainly do not fly, jump or dive off trees.  It takes several hours for a tick to attach itself to your body; consequently taking a shower with a washcloth will help wash off any loose ones.  It also takes about 24 to 48 hours for a feeding tick to transmit the Lyme disease bacteria.  Ticks especially seem to migrate toward hairy areas of the body.  Do not try to pull a tick off with your fingers as this may cause the tick to inject bacteria into your body.  If you find an attached tick, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull outward gently but firmly. If any of the tick’s parts remain, you may attempt to remove them as you would a splinter.  These will not cause Lyme disease. 

  The earliest sign of Lyme disease is a small red spot at the site of the tick’s bite that seems to grow larger.  The center may fade, creating a “bulls eye” or ring appearance.  This rash or reddened area may burn, hurt or itch or it may even go unnoticed.  Some people with Lyme disease feel flu-like symptoms around the time that they notice the rash.  They may even have fever, chills, headaches, stiff neck, fatigue, muscle aches and joint pain.  In others, Lyme disease may spread to the heart or to the nervous system and cause heart rhythm abnormalities and neurological disorders, although these effects are less common and preventable.

  Since Lyme disease is an infection, it is treated with antibiotics.  Depending upon the stage of the disease and the types of symptoms being treated, the antibiotics may be given by mouth or by vein.  As with all disease, prevention is best.  This can be accomplished by reducing your risk of exposure to ticks by using good insect repellants containing “DEET”, wearing long sleeves and pants, tucking your pant legs into your socks, wearing closed shoes rather than sandals or loafers and brushing off clothes and inspecting for ticks after you have been in the woods or tall grasses.  A new vaccine, recently approved by the FDA, is 80% effective against Lyme disease.  It is administered in three doses over the course of one year; however, it is not know how long the vaccine provides protection.  Booster shots may be required within a few years of the initial vaccine.  Most experts recommend this vaccine for people who live or work in grassy or wooded areas, especially in the areas of the United States where this disease is most prevalent. 

  Enjoy your walk in the woods but be aware of these pesky little creatures.  Check yourself and your children carefully and see your physician immediately if you have a tick bite associated with these signs or symptoms.