Lyme disease, which is sometimes known colloquially as limes disease, is a bacterial infection spread in a very particular fashion: via the bite of the blacklegged tick. Not all blacklegged ticks are infected with Lyme disease, but some are, and there is a chance of transmitting the infection to a human through a tick bite. The common geographic ranges of Lyme disease are the Northeastern, North-central and West Coast regions of the United States. The areas particularly affected are Maine to Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota and northern California
Lyme Disease Facts
What are the risk factors for Lyme disease? One is walking in high grasses – where blacklegged ticks like to lurk – and another is having an outdoor pet that can unknowingly carry ticks back home in its fur. Outdoor activities like hiking, hunting and gardening also increase the risk of blacklegged tick exposure. Infection is most common by far in late spring, summer and early autumn. How can you reduce these risk factors? You can walk in the center of trails while hiking or hunting and generally avoid walking in areas with high grasses, that are wooded or bushy or have piles of leaf litter. Also check yourself and your pets for ticks after walking or hiking in grassy or wooded areas, and spray insect repellent on your clothing and exposed skin. Consider tick repellent products for outdoor pets as well.
Lyme Disease Symptoms
Common symptoms of Lyme disease include stiff neck, muscle pain, fainting, light-headedness, headache, general malaise, fever, chills and body-wide itching. Sometimes there is also a rash that resembles a bullseye. Other symptoms are skipped heartbeats, pain or swelling in large joints such as the knees, weakness or paralysis in facial muscles, speech problems, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness and abnormal muscle movements.
More Lyme Disease Facts
Most tick bites don’t result in Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be tested for with various lab tests, and it’s usually treatable with antibiotics. Doxycycline, amoxicillin, penicillin and erythromicin are antibiotics commonly used as treatments. The prognosis is good for people with Lyme disease: most make full recoveries. For more facts, head to www.lymediseaseblog.com
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