$Unique_ID{BRK02015} $Pretitle{} $Title{Taking Precautions Against Lyme Disease} $Subject{Lyme Disease Lyme's Disease deer ticks deer tick spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi tick removal travel traveling outdoors outing outings} $Volume{} $Log{ Ticks Transmit Lyme Disease*0005201.scf Protection from Ticks*0005202.scf First Sign of Lyme Disease*0005203.scf} Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Taking Precautions Against Lyme Disease ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: Our family is preparing for its annual outing, which this year takes place in a National Park in the Northeast. We haven't heard too much about Lyme's disease so far this year and wonder if it is still a problem in the area we are going to visit. If it is, do you think we should change our plans? There is a bit of concern amongst our relatives. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: Your travel plans do take you to an area where the largest concentration of reported cases of Lyme disease exist, but many Lyme disease experts feel that with the proper precautions and a little common sense, you have no reason to rework your plans. Lyme disease is still prevalent in the northeast, New York State, along the northeast corridor from Massachusetts to Virginia, as well as parts of the Midwest, including Wisconsin and Minnesota. The deer tick which carries the infection has spread considerably from the first reports of the disease in 1971 around Old Lyme, Connecticut, and reports of the disease have now been filed in 46 states. Not all deer ticks carry the infecting agent, a spirochete (type of bacteria) called Borrelia burgdorferi, but the percentage of disease carrying ticks is greater in the areas I've mentioned. The ticks begin to feed in May and continue until August. The tick doesn't fly or hop, but clings to its warm-blooded hosts while they feed. Hosts include deer and small mammals, including dogs. They infect the host by transmitting the bacteria through their salivary glands while feeding, but feeding may take as long as 24 hours, sometimes longer, and it takes this amount of time to transmit the infection. Thus if you detect a tick early enough, and remove it properly, you may be able to prevent an infection. Use a fine pointed tweezer to grip the tick by the head, and pull straight out. Then wash the skin around the bite with warm water and soap. After drying, apply an antiseptic, such as rubbing alcohol. Taking all the measures that prevent the tick from getting to your skin is better still. When you are in areas covered with low lying brush, cover up as much as possible, wearing long sleeves, and tuck your pants into your socks. Stick to walking paths, and carefully check your body for the presence of ticks after returning from your walk. For more information you may wish to contact the Lyme Borreliosis Foundation, Box 462, Tolland, CT 06084 (203) 871-2900. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.