MEDICAL SURFARI: ARM YOURSELF AGAINST TICK SEASON

Small ticks, no bigger than a poppy seed, may carry a microorganism capable of causing potentially debilitating diseases in humans. This family of ticks is called Ixodes and the most recognizable member of this family is the "deer" or "bear" tick. These ticks are much smaller than the common dog or cattle ticks and may be no bigger than a pinhead. They feed on birds, the white-footed mouse, white-tailed deer and other mammals, including humans.

Ticks may transmit a variety of diseases to humans including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, ehrlichiosis and tick paralysis, but Ixodes are responsible for transmitting Lyme disease.

In 1975 children in Lyme, Connecticut showed signs of what initially appeared to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis but they were later recognized as the first cases of "Lyme" disease. Lyme disease can affect many parts of the body including the skin, nerves, brain, heart and joints. It is a curable infection caused by a small corkscrew-shaped microorganism called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans from the intestinal tract of these ticks through a tick bite. Although Lyme disease is an infection, you cannot catch it from an individual who already has it. Lyme disease has been reported in 48 states but it is most prevalent in the northeast, upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. It has also been noted in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Springtime is tick season so now is the time to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of this disease. Although public awareness about this disease has increased, so have fear and misunderstanding. These ticks are most abundant in warm months and they live in low bushes and tall grass. They get on your body as you make contact with this vegetation. They certainly do not hop, fly, jump or dive off trees! It takes several hours for a tick to attach itself to your body; consequently, taking a shower with a washcloth will help wash off any loose ones. It also takes about 24 to 48 hours for a feeding tick to transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. Ticks especially seem to migrate toward hairy areas of the body. Do not try to pull a tick off with your fingers as this may inject the bacteria into your body. If you find an attached tick, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull outward gently but firmly. If any of the tick's parts remain, you may attempt to remove them as you would a splinter. These will not cause Lyme disease.

The earliest sign of Lyme disease is a small red spot at the site of the tick's bite that grows larger. The center may fade, creating a "bulls eye" or ring appearance that may burn, hurt or itch. Some people with Lyme disease feel flu-like symptoms around the time that they notice the rash. They may even have fever, chills, headaches, stiff neck, fatigue, muscle aches and joint pain. In others, Lyme disease may spread to the heart or to the nervous system and cause heart rhythm abnormalities and neurological disorders, although these effects are less common and preventable.

Since Lyme disease is an infection, it is treated with antibiotics and, depending upon the stage of the disease, the antibiotics may be given by mouth or by vein. As with all disease, prevention is best. Reduce your risk of exposure to ticks with good insect repellants containing "DEET", wear long sleeves and pants, tuck your pant legs into your socks, wear closed shoes rather than sandals or loafers and brush off your clothes.

Also, a new vaccine, recently approved by the FDA, is 80 percent effective against Lyme disease. It is administered in three doses over the course of one year; however, it is not known how long the vaccine provides protection.

Most experts recommend this vaccine for people who live or work in grassy or wooded areas where the disease is most prevalent.

Enjoy your walk in the woods but be aware of these pesky little creatures. Check yourself and your children carefully for ticks and see your physician immediately if you have a tick bite associated with these signs or symptoms.

World Wide Web Resources

Medinex - Lyme Disease

www.medinex.com/lymedisease.shtml

Medinex provides a link to other web sites related to lyme disease.

American Lyme Disease Foundation

www.w2.com/docs2/d5/lyme1.html

This web site provides "A Homeowner's Guide to the Ecology and Environmental Management of Lyme Disease", which covers valuable information on prevention of lyme disease.

CDC: Information on Lyme Disease

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lymeinfo.htm

The Centers for Disease Control has several web pages devoted to providing accurate information on lyme disease treatment and prevention.