Lyme Disease
(Adapted from the CDC Lyme Disease Home Page)
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About Lyme Disease
Lyme
disease was named in 1977 when first observed in a cluster of children
in and around Lyme, Connecticut. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria
transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks -- resulting in
more than 16,000 infections in the United States each year.
Risk
In the United States, Lyme disease is mostly localized to states
in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and upper north-central regions,
and to several counties in northwestern California. Individuals who
live or work in areas surrounded by tick-infested woods or overgrown
brush are at risk for getting Lyme disease. In endemic areas, persons
who work or play in their yard, participate in recreational activities
away from home such as hiking, camping, fishing and hunting, or engage
in outdoor occupations, such as landscaping, brush clearing, forestry,
and wildlife and parks management, may also be at risk.
Questions and Answers About Lyme Disease
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease?
A: Within days to weeks following a tick bite, 80% of patients
will have a red, slowly expanding "bull's-eye" rash accompanied
by general tiredness, fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, and
joint pain. If untreated, weeks to months later some patients may
develop arthritis, including intermittent episodes of swelling and
pain in the large joints; neurologic abnormalities; and, rarely, cardiac
problems.
Q: What is the incubation period for Lyme disease?
A: For the red "bull's-eye" rash, usually 7 to 14
days following tick exposure. Some patients present with later manifestations
without having had early signs of disease.
Q: What is the mortality rate of Lyme disease?
A: Lyme disease is rarely, if ever, fatal.
Q: Can a person be reinfected with Lyme disease?
A: Yes. Having had Lyme disease doesn't protect against reinfection.
Some persons have had Lyme disease more than once after re-exposure
to infective tick bites. This stresses the need for continued tick
bite prevention activities such as wearing appropriate clothing when
in tick-infested areas, daily tick checks, and quick removal of attached
ticks.
Q: How is Lyme disease treated?
A: According to treatment experts, antibiotic treatment for
3-4 weeks is generally effective in early disease. (The Medical Letter,
Vol. 42 (Issue 1077), May 1, 2000). The early diagnosis and proper
antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease are important strategies to avoid
the costs and complications of infection and late-stage illness. Persons
should promptly seek medical attention if they develop any signs or
symptoms of Lyme disease. Treatment is only recommended when Lyme
disease symptoms are present, not as a preventative measure after
a tick bite.
Q: Is there a vaccine for Lyme Diseases?
A: Not at this time. As of February 25, 2002, the LYMErix™ Lyme
disease vaccine is no longer commercially available in the United
States.
Prevention
Prevention measures are very effective in reducing exposure to infected
ticks.
- Avoid tick habitats: Whenever possible, avoid entering
areas that are likely to be infested with ticks, particularly in
spring and summer when nymphal ticks feed. Ticks favor a moist,
shaded environment, especially areas with leaf litter and low-lying
vegetation in wooded, brushy or overgrown grassy habitat. Both deer
and rodent hosts must be abundant to maintain the cycle of reprodution
of the tick. Sources for information on the distribution of ticks
in an area include state and local health departments, park personnel,
and agricultural extension services.
- Use personal protection measures: If you are going to be
in areas that are tick infested, wear light-colored clothing so
that ticks can be spotted more easily and removed before becoming
attached. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and tucking pants into socks
or boot tops may help keep ticks from reaching your skin. Ticks
are usually located close to the ground, so wearing high rubber
boots may provide additional protection.
- Insect repellent with DEET: The risk of tick attachment
also can be reduced by applying insect repellents containing DEET
to clothes and exposed skin, and applying permethrin (which kills
ticks on contact) to clothes. DEET can be used safely on children
and adults but should be applied according to Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) guidelines to reduce possibility of toxicity.
- Perform a tick check and remove attached ticks: The transmission
of the bacteria from an infected tick is unlikely to occur before
24 hours of tick attachment. For this reason, daily checks for ticks
and promptly removing any attached tick that you find will help
prevent infection. Embedded ticks should be removed using fine-tipped
tweezers. DO NOT use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish,
or other products. Grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the skin
as possible. With a steady motion, pull the tick's body away from
the skin. The tick's mouthparts may remain in the skin, but do not
be alarmed. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are contained in
the tick's midgut or salivary glands. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.
Related services at the Tang Center
Advice Nurse: (510) 643-7197
Appointments: (510) 642-2000
Self Care Resource Center: (510) 642-7202
Additional online resources
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose,
treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease.
It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between
an individual and his/her clinician.
Last revised: September 2005
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