Lyme Disease easily treated when recognized, brought before doctor

by Dr. Adam Seigers, Medical Health Contributor

Lyme disease is the most common tick borne illness in North America and is carried by the Deer tick. It is transmitted as a bacterium that when appropriately recognized can be easily treated.

You are likely to encounter a tick bite if you spend time in the outdoors or in grassy or heavily wooded areas.

A tick is a small insect often no bigger than the head of a pin.

After a tick attaches itself  it takes about 48 hours for to transmit the bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease.

Despite the timeframe, if a tick looks visibly engorged, enough time has elapsed to transmit the infection. Once a tick has been discovered it should be promptly removed by

grasping it at the head.  An antiseptic should then be applied.

Seeking medical care promptly is important for good outcomes.

Usually individuals of suspect are treated with antibiotics. Additional testing such as ELISA, Western blot, and PCR testing can be done to confirm the diagnosis, but these blood tests often appear falsely negative within the first few weeks of exposure.

It is especially important to see a doctor if the following symptoms occur: a rash with a bulls eye pattern called erythema migrans, flu-like symptoms including body aches, fatigue, fever, and headache, migratory joint pains, neurologic problems, temporary paralysis of one side of the face, or an irregular heartbeat.

To prevent exposure to ticks wear long pants, use insect spray, and avoid areas where ticks are prevalent.

For more information please contact your primary care provider.

Dr. Adam Seigers is a physician with Faxton St. Luke’s Adirondack Community Physicians (ACP) Boonville Medical Offices on Rt. 12.

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