Increasing Incident Of Lyme Disease

The deer tick that causes chronic Lyme disease is most commonly found (or finds you) in wooded areas, high grass, marshes and gardens. You can prevent tick bites by wearing light colored clothing (in order to see ticks more easily), covering exposed body parts, and sparingly using insect repellants with low concentrations of DEET. The repellant should be reapplied every two hours and washed off after going indoors.

Deer ticks cause Lyme disease by penetrating the skin, then injecting bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, into the bloodstream. Doctors believe the tick must be embedded in the skin for 36 hours before the disease is transmitted from the tick to the bloodstream.

The incubation period is seven to 14 days before the onset of illness. Most commonly, the disease begins with a red rash with clearing in the center (a target spot), perhaps followed by fever, joint pains and arthritis. Later, there might be headaches and neurologic symptoms.

The rash is present in only two-thirds of cases. Once diagnosed by clinical appearance and/or blood tests to confirm Lyme disease, the disease is treated with a course of antibiotics. Because of the low prevalence of Lyme disease in this area, we do not recommend antibiotic treatment for all tick bites. That would lead to unnecessary use of antibiotics and increase the risks of giving a foothold to drug-resistant bacteria.

While there is a vaccine available, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that it be given only to people over age 15 who are at high risk either because of where they live or what their occupations are.

The vaccine is given in three doses, the first two one month apart and the third 12 months later. Some people who receive the vaccine might develop arthritis as a reaction to it. You should ask your doctor whether you are in a high risk group and should receive the vaccine.

If you travel to high-risk areas, especially northern Wisconsin, the Northeastern United States or areas of Northern California, you should be especially watchful and take precautions. By doing a tick check after outdoor activities and hiking, you can have a safe outdoor vacation.

By the way, don't forget to check the dog, as Fido is at risk for tick bites and fur is a great hiding spot for ticks.

Minnesotans considering the Lyme disease vaccine probably shouldn't be influenced by a high-profile ad campaign targeting Minneapolis and St. Paul (the Twin Cities), and Duluth by the vaccine's manufacturer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based SmithKline Beecham, experts said.

The ads depict the Twin Cities as ground zero for Lyme disease, but the risk in the metro area for getting bit by the deer tick, which carries the bacterium that causes the disease, is actually lower than in many other areas of the state. Although Minnesota is considered a high-risk area for Lyme disease, the main risk areas in the state are the counties between the Twin Cities and Duluth, said Dr. Alan Lifson and Dave Neitzel of the Minnesota Department of Health.

Lyme Disease