Click image to download PDF file
Finally, snow, and like most locals my thoughts have turned to warm spring weather already. Fortunately, I don't have any stories about this month’s topic, Lyme disease.
Adult Deer Tick
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection for which there is no known cure. Although it is not fatal, it is debilitating causing muscle pain, joint swelling, fatigue, rash, and occasionally cardiac problems. Here in Mono County we are lucky to live in a low to moderate risk area for Lyme disease according to the center for disease control.
Lyme disease is usually transmitted on the West Coast by the western black-legged tick while in its nymph stage, although ticks in all stages of life, larval, nymph, and adult, can bite and infect humans. The nymphs are responsible because of their size, less than one-millimeter (that's roughly forty thousandths of an inch for us mechanics and engineers, or 3/64" for the carpenters - ed.) and are less likely to be seen and removed. By staying attached, this gives them the time to transmit the disease, which takes 36 hours or more.
If a tick does bite you, it is important to remove it quickly to prevent infection. The proper method to remove the tick is to grasp it with tweezers as close to the head as possible and gently tug. The idea is to coerce the tick to let go rather than pulling it out. Do not burn the tick or cover it with Vaseline, this will stress the tick causing it to regurgitate and increases the chance of infection. When you do get the tick out check to make sure the head is still attached. If possible, save the tick so it can be tested and identified.
Bullseye Lyme Disease Rash
After a tick bite some redness and swelling is normal, however, symptoms of Lyme disease should be watched for. These symptoms include a "bull's eye" rash, muscle and joint aches, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, or fatigue. If any of these symptoms develop you should see your doctor immediately, as early diagnoses and treatment is crucial.
The best way to avoid Lyme disease is to protect yourself from being bitten. Ticks like to hang out in overgrown grassy and brushy wooded areas. Wearing light colored clothing will make spotting ticks easier. Long sleeve shirts and pants tucked into socks will make it difficult for ticks to get under clothing and bite. In addition, insect repellants containing deet are effective deterrents. Repellants containing more than 33% deet have not been more effective than lower concentrations. Deet is a neurotoxin and is dangerous to the very old and very young.
LYMErix™, a vaccine, was released in Spring 1999 with much promise. However, dangerous side-effects soon came to light and as of February 25, 2002 the manufacturer announced that the LYMErix™ Lyme disease vaccine will no longer be commercially available.
For additional information check these links: