From the Sprague School Nurse:
Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the US and Europe. In 2011, Massachusetts had 27.3 confirmed cases per 100,000 people, according to the CDC. Because Lyme disease is at such an increased risk here in eastern Massachusetts, it’s important for us to review this serious health concern and take preventative action.
Lyme disease is a multi-system bacterial infection that can be cured with antibiotic therapy. The bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) enter the body when an infective tick attaches to the skin. To transmit these bacteria, the tick must be attached for at least 24 hours. The bacteria then cause Lyme disease, which may affect the skin, joints, nerves, and/or heart.
Not all ticks cause Lyme disease. In the northeastern US, the deer tick is responsible for transmitting the disease. (However, not all deer ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.) The disease is most likely to be spread between late May and early autumn, when the ticks are most active.
Deer ticks cling to plants near the ground in brushy, wooded, or grassy places. The ticks can’t fly or jump; they climb onto animals and people who brush against the plants.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the US and Europe. In 2011, Massachusetts had 27.3 confirmed cases per 100,000 people, according to the CDC. Because Lyme disease is at such an increased risk here in eastern Massachusetts, it’s important for us to review this serious health concern and take preventative action.
Lyme disease is a multi-system bacterial infection that can be cured with antibiotic therapy. The bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) enter the body when an infective tick attaches to the skin. To transmit these bacteria, the tick must be attached for at least 24 hours. The bacteria then cause Lyme disease, which may affect the skin, joints, nerves, and/or heart.
Not all ticks cause Lyme disease. In the northeastern US, the deer tick is responsible for transmitting the disease. (However, not all deer ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.) The disease is most likely to be spread between late May and early autumn, when the ticks are most active.
Deer ticks cling to plants near the ground in brushy, wooded, or grassy places. The ticks can’t fly or jump; they climb onto animals and people who brush against the plants.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease symptoms vary widely because Lyme disease can affect various parts of the body. Not everyone with the disease will have all of the signs and symptoms. But in general:
An early sign is often a rash where the tick was attached. The rash appears from 3 days to a month after the bite. It starts as a small red bump then spreads, clearing up in the center so it looks like a bulls-eye. (However, the rash appears only in 68% of cases, and it may present differently.) Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, sore and aching muscles and joints, fatigue, and swollen glands, are also common during the early stage of Lyme disease.
These symptoms resolve after a few weeks, but the person remains infected. Without medical treatment, approximately half of infected people will get the rash again in different places on their bodies, and many will experience more serious problems.
In later stages (weeks to years after initial exposure) the joints, nervous system, and heart can be affected. About 60 % of untreated Lyme disease may result in arthritis, most often of the knees, elbows, and/or wrists. The arthritis may move from joint to joint and become chronic. About 10 - 20 % of untreated people develop nervous system problems, such as meningitis, facial weakness, or pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the hands, feet, arms, or legs. The heart may also be affected by Lyme disease, resulting in slowing of the heartbeat or fainting.
Treatment of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is treated with one of several antibiotics. In most cases, the antibiotic will cure the infection. (A vaccine has been removed from the market and is no longer available.)
Prevention of Lyme Disease
A person is more likely to get the disease during the spring and summer when a lot of time is spent outside with large amounts of skin exposed. Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Avoid areas where deer ticks live - wooded, brushy and grassy places - to reduce the chance of infection.
While outdoors, these precautions can reduce chances of being bitten:
An early sign is often a rash where the tick was attached. The rash appears from 3 days to a month after the bite. It starts as a small red bump then spreads, clearing up in the center so it looks like a bulls-eye. (However, the rash appears only in 68% of cases, and it may present differently.) Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, sore and aching muscles and joints, fatigue, and swollen glands, are also common during the early stage of Lyme disease.
These symptoms resolve after a few weeks, but the person remains infected. Without medical treatment, approximately half of infected people will get the rash again in different places on their bodies, and many will experience more serious problems.
In later stages (weeks to years after initial exposure) the joints, nervous system, and heart can be affected. About 60 % of untreated Lyme disease may result in arthritis, most often of the knees, elbows, and/or wrists. The arthritis may move from joint to joint and become chronic. About 10 - 20 % of untreated people develop nervous system problems, such as meningitis, facial weakness, or pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the hands, feet, arms, or legs. The heart may also be affected by Lyme disease, resulting in slowing of the heartbeat or fainting.
Treatment of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is treated with one of several antibiotics. In most cases, the antibiotic will cure the infection. (A vaccine has been removed from the market and is no longer available.)
Prevention of Lyme Disease
A person is more likely to get the disease during the spring and summer when a lot of time is spent outside with large amounts of skin exposed. Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Avoid areas where deer ticks live - wooded, brushy and grassy places - to reduce the chance of infection.
While outdoors, these precautions can reduce chances of being bitten:
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to minimize skin exposure to ticks.
- Tuck pants tightly into socks to form a barrier to tick attachment.
- Wear light-colored clothing to help see ticks on clothing.
- Stay to the middle of the path when in the woods.
- Check for ticks, looking particularly for what may look like nothing more than a new freckle or speck of dirt.
- Using tick and insect repellents containing DEET helps to protect against Lyme disease. Follow label instructions carefully, use aerosols in an open space to avoid inhalation, and use only as much as needed.
- Do not apply DEET to the hands of young children or on children less than 2 months of age. Use concentrations of 30 % or lower for older children and adults.
- Avoid using DEET products that are combined with sunscreen. The sunscreen needs to be applied more often, resulting in overuse of DEET.
- Wash treated skin with soap and water after coming inside.
Household pets can get Lyme disease. Checking pets for ticks reduces the risk of infection. If you suspect that your pet has Lyme disease, contact your veterinarian. There is no known case of a pet transmitting the disease directly to humans.
If You Are Bitten
Early removal of an attached tick is imperative because it takes at least 24 hours for an infective tick to transmit the bacteria. To remove a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin and slowly pull it straight out. Do not squeeze or twist the attached tick. The mouth parts may stay attached, but these will not cause Lyme disease. After removal, apply antiseptic to the bite area. Do not apply mineral oil, Vaseline, heat, or other agents to remove the tick. This does not remove ticks and may actually increase your chance of infection by causing the tick to excrete bacteria.
If you remove a tick as soon as you find it, it is less likely that the tick transmitted the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria because it may not have been attached long enough for transmission to occur. You should, however, call your physician, who may suggest you bring the tick in for laboratory examination. The tick bite site needs to be observed for signs of localized infection such as pain, redness, warmth, and/or drainage. And, just to be safe, monitor your health closely after a tick bite and be alert for any signs and symptoms of tick-borne illness.
An excellent source of information is the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
If You Are Bitten
Early removal of an attached tick is imperative because it takes at least 24 hours for an infective tick to transmit the bacteria. To remove a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin and slowly pull it straight out. Do not squeeze or twist the attached tick. The mouth parts may stay attached, but these will not cause Lyme disease. After removal, apply antiseptic to the bite area. Do not apply mineral oil, Vaseline, heat, or other agents to remove the tick. This does not remove ticks and may actually increase your chance of infection by causing the tick to excrete bacteria.
If you remove a tick as soon as you find it, it is less likely that the tick transmitted the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria because it may not have been attached long enough for transmission to occur. You should, however, call your physician, who may suggest you bring the tick in for laboratory examination. The tick bite site needs to be observed for signs of localized infection such as pain, redness, warmth, and/or drainage. And, just to be safe, monitor your health closely after a tick bite and be alert for any signs and symptoms of tick-borne illness.
An excellent source of information is the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
Thank you,
Sharon Kahn RN
Sprague School Nurse
781-263-1965
No comments:
Post a Comment
It's our policy to review comments before allowing them to post. Your comments will be reviewed shortly. Thank you!