Lyme Disease: What To Know This Season May 20, 2016 -- The tick responsible for Lyme disease is showing up in new areas in the U.S., a worrisome trend.
Although the majority of cases are still reported in the Northeast, the black-legged tick -- also known as the deer or bear tick -- has been found as far south as Florida and as far north as Canada, data from the CDC show. And while experts say it’s impossible to forecast how bad this tick season from about spring to winter will be, cases have been trending upward - doubling nationwide between 1995 and 2014. CDC epidemiologist Paul Mead, MD, says there’s been a steady, gradual increase in cases of the disease and the areas where the ticks live. “It’s like a bomb going off; it’s spreading in all directions,” says Mead, chief of epidemiology and surveillance activity, Bacterial Diseases Branch. For most people, the disease causes flu-like symptoms. About 80% of people who get it fully recover by taking antibiotics, says John Aucott, MD, of the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center. Mead and Aucott shared more about the disease and what to expect this year and beyond. What’s driving up Lyme numbers?A worldwide warming trend has made more northern areas like Canada, Maine, and Minnesota hospitable to ticks. But the number of deer -- which carry the ticks -- probably plays a bigger role, says Mead. “Land use, forestry growth, and how many people develop homes in areas with large deer populations are among the factors driving this long-term trend,” he says. Public health officials report between 30,000 and 36,000 cases of the disease a year (although experts believe the number is closer to 300,000). The ticks are most active in May, June, and early July, Mead says. Where is the black-legged tick population concentrated?The Northeast continues to have the most concentrated areas of Lyme cases. But the black-legged tick is now present in nearly half of U.S. counties in 43 states, a jump of nearly 45% since 1998, according to a recent CDC report. The majority of the tick population growth has been in the North-central and Northeast. How do you know if you’ve been bitten? Given that the ticks are the size of a poppy seed, you’ve got to have pretty good eyes. The CDC recommends that if you’ve been walking in the woods, in tall grass, or working in the garden, check your skin afterward, ideally in the shower or bath. That way, you’ve removed your clothes, which may carry ticks, too. What do you do if there’s a tick under your skin?Remove it with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers as soon as possible, pulling upward with steady pressure. If parts of the tick remain in the skin, also try to remove them with the tweezers. After it’s out, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Mead says you’re not likely to get infected if you remove the tick within 36 to 48 hours. Some people have an allergic reaction to ticks, so they’ll notice a bite right away. SLIDESHOWBug Bites: Identifying Bugs and Bug Bites SlideshowStartHow do you dispose of a tick?Place it in soapy water or alcohol, stick it to a piece of tape, or flush it down the toilet. What are the early symptoms of Lyme disease infection?They mimic the flu -- fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. The appearance of a “bulls-eye” rash -- the kind with a spot in the middle and a ring around it -- is a clearer warning sign. It shows up in almost all people infected with Lyme and begins at the site of the tick bite after 3 to 30 days (but on average, appears in about 7 days) and gradually expands. It isn’t itchy or painful. When should you see a doctor if you suspect you have Lyme?The rash is a pretty good indication that you may have been bitten. At this stage of the illness, treatment with antibiotics will likely be successful, Aucott says. How is it treated?With the antibiotics amoxicillin and tetracycline, usually for 10-21 days, Mead says. Other antibiotics that may be used include cefuroxime or doxycycline. If you're treated early in the infection stage, a full recovery is likely. What’s the best way to prevent a tick bite? Ticks can’t fly or jump, but instead live in shrubs and bushes, and grab onto someone when they pass by. To avoid getting bitten, wear pants and socks in the woods, areas with lots of trees, and while handling fallen leaves. Wear a tick repellent on your skin and clothing that has DEET, lemon oil, or eucalyptus. For even more protection, use the chemical permethrin on clothing and camping gear. Shower within 2 hours after coming inside, if possible. It lets you look at your skin and wash ticks out of your hair. Also, put your clothing and any exposed gear into a hot dryer to kill whatever pests might remain. SOURCE: http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/arthritis-lyme-disease?page=3
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