With Lyme disease lurking, here's what to know

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USA Today June 8. 2006

With Lyme disease lurking, here's what to know

Posted 6/7/2006 7:33 PM ET

Ah spring. Time to get out of the house and into nature. And time to start

watching for the tiny deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, says medical

entomologist Falco of Fordham University.

June and July are the peak season for Lyme disease because ticks are in

their

nymphal stage and are most active. Reporter Anita Manning interviews Falco

and other experts who offer basic information on Lyme disease, a potentially

dangerous illness:

Q: How do people get the disease?

A: The bacterium is transmitted by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks,

also called deer ticks. It is not known to pass from one person to another,

from

a pet to a person, through blood transfusion or by eating infected deer or

squirrels.

Q: Is the disease a concern only in the summer?

A: Lyme disease is reported year-round, but the majority of cases occur in

the summer. The disease has been reported in nearly every state. About

20,000

cases are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each

year,

a national average of nearly seven cases per 100,000. But in the 12 states

where it is most common, the average was just over 27 per 100,000.

Q: What should I do to protect myself and my family?

A: If possible, avoid woods and tall grass. If not, the CDC advises using

bug

repellant containing DEET and doing frequent body checks. The nymphal ticks

are tiny, about the size of a poppy seed, so it's important to look

carefully,

particularly on legs, arms and groin.

About 70% of Lyme disease infections are acquired around the home. " If you

live in an urban area and go to the park once a month, you're likely be more

diligent, " Falco says. " But if you live in an area where there are ticks and

there's risk just walking to the mailbox, it's difficult to take these

precautions

day in and day out. "

Q: What can I can do around the house and yard to get rid of ticks?

A: Ticks need high humidity to survive, so remove leaf litter, keep grass

short and cut back underbrush. In regions of high infestation, such as the

Northeast, " chemical control is probably the least difficult and most

effective way

to control ticks in the suburban environment, " Falco says. Spraying an

insecticide in early June and again in the fall is " optimal. "

Q: What are the symptoms, and how is the disease treated?

A: Symptoms vary, but about 70% of people develop a circular rash at the

site

of the bite after three to 30 days. The rash expands over days to as large

as

a foot in diameter, developing a bull's-eye appearance. Patients also have

chills, fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph

nodes. Prompt treatment with antibiotics resolves most cases, but some

people

continue to have symptoms for months or years. Untreated, it can lead to

chronic

illnesses, including arthritis and neurological problems.

Q: Can my pets get it?

A: Dogs are very susceptible and can pick up ticks easily because they're

low

to the ground and love to roll around in grasses. Ticks apparently aren't as

attracted to cats, so they're less vulnerable, says veterinarian

Ford

of the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University.

A dog carrying ticks poses a threat not only to itself but also to humans in

the house. " The dog moved out of the doghouse a long time ago. People are

sleeping with their pets, " Ford says. Pet owners should apply topical tick

repellant every month, and in areas where Lyme disease is common, dogs

should be

vaccinated each year.

Q: What should I do if I find a tick on me?

A: A tick has to be attached for 36 to 48 hours to be able to transmit the

bacterium, so even if you're bitten by an infected tick, you have a chance

of

preventing Lyme disease if you act quickly.

The CDC says to use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin

and pull it out. Wash the area with soap and warm water. Don't worry if the

mouth parts remain embedded, the CDC says. The tick can't transmit the

bacteria

if it's mouth and body are separated.

Find this article at:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-06-07-lyme-disease_x.htm