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Tuesday, May 26, 2015
May is national Lyme Disease Prevention Month
Lyme Disease Awareness
Month is a campaign which promotes preventative measures which can be taken
against Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is an acute
inflammatory disease caused by the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria,
Borrelia burgdorferi; Lyme disease is spread through the bite of ticks which
carry Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium.
In the United States there
are two main species of tick which carry and spread Lyme disease. The deer tick
or black legged tick(Ixodes scapularis) spreads the disease in the north
central and eastern parts of the United States.
The western black legged
tick (Ixodes pacifus) spreads Lyme disease on the west (Pacific) coast. Both
species of ticks are found in wooded areas. The life cycle of the Ixodes tick
is complex.
Symptoms:
There are two types of
symptoms of Lyme Disease: first and late symptoms. First symptoms are usually
flu-like and include fatigue, tiredness, joint and muscle pain, and also a
characteristic rash. Late symptoms can take much longer to develop: weeks, months
or even years. Late symptoms may include fatigue, mental health issues, the
condition arthritis and chronic encephalomyeltits.
Chronic encephalomyeltits
is a progressive condition (symptoms become worse or more widespread), and
include back pain, bladder problems, vertigo and weakness in the legs. Late
Lyme disease can also cause brain, joint, and heart infection.
The Need For This Awareness Month:
In the United States over
the last few years, there has been a steady increase in the number of reported
cases of Lyme disease. Lyme Disease Awareness Month educates both the young and
old about Lyme Disease and how they can take steps to prevent it.
As both types of ticks
which carry the Lyme disease virus live in wooded areas, people who visit these
areas are encouraged to wear protective clothing around the ankles.
White or light clothing is
recommended as it is easier to spot any ticks. Shirts and T-shirts should be
tucked into your pants (trousers), and socks pulled up over the bottom of the
pants. Using an insect repellent can also help prevent the ticks from getting
on to you. Pets should also be checked. Before returning inside it is
recommended to do a tick check first.
Tick Removal Lowers The Risk Of Lyme Disease:
Carrying a tick removal kit
is advised as they can be used to effectively remove ticks from body reducing
the risk of disease transmission. Often the disease is transmitted when a tick
is not removed properly.
The body breaks away with
the head still buried in the skin; this causes the tick to regurgitate its
contents into the persons body.
'Do It Yourself' tick kits
should include an insect repellant, a pair of fine tweezers, an antiseptic and
small vial.
Using the tweezers, remove
the tick with the tips of the tweezers as close as possible to the skin around
the ticks mouth parts. A gentle upward action is recommend by the Lyme Disease
Foundation. By placing the tick in a vial with a blade of grass, the tick can
be kept alive for testing.
This
article was reprinted from Lyme Disease Foundation Page. You can get more information at: http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/lymediseaseawarenessmonth.html
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