Lyme Disease is spread through the bite of infected black legged (deer) ticks. Tick exposure is higher during spring and summer months. Risk of exposure is greatest in woods and in the edge area between lawns and woods.
Lyme Disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks.
Symptoms of Early Lyme Disease include bulls eye rash, fever & chills, headache, muscle and joint pain and swollen lymph nodes and fatigue.
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Avoid tick-infested areas
- Use insect repellant containing a 20% concentration of DEET on clothes & on exposed skin. Consult health professional for insect repellant for infants/children
- Perform daily tick checks after being outdoors
- Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within 2 hours)
- Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics usually given by mouth.
- Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LYME DISEASE:
To learn more, go to www.cdc.gov/Lyme