Lyme Disease

What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease is a bacterial disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is generally transmitted by a tick or other animal bite such as a mouse or squirrel. There is no evidence that the disease can be transmitted from person-to-person. Family pets are also susceptible to contracting Lyme disease through bites

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

• Within one to two weeks of being infected, people may develop a “bull’s eye” rash
• With fever
• Headache
• Muscle joint pain.
• Some people who have Lyme disease do not show any early symptoms

Later Symptoms

• Rashes
• Pain that seems to move from joint to joint
• Signs of inflammation of the heart or nerves
• Swelling and pain in major joints
• Mental changes
• Paralysis in the face (Bell’s palsy)

How should I treat Lyme Disease?

• A Lyme disease vaccine no longer exists
• Most cases can be cured with antibiotics especially if begun early

How can I protect myself from contracting Lyme Disease?

• Whenever possible avoid areas that are likely infested with ticks
• If in tick infested areas, wear light colored clothes
• Wear long sleeve shirts, and tuck pant legs into your boots
• Apply insect repellant containing DEET to skin and clothing
• Check for ticks daily and remove them promptly (Embedded ticks should be removed by using fine-tipped tweezers. Cleanse the area with antiseptic.)

Information contained here has been compiled from various sources including the American Red Cross (ARC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Health Organization (WHO)