What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease i=
s the most common tick-borne infection in North America and is transmitted=
through the bite of an infected tick.
If I am bitten by a tick, does that mean that I wil=
l develop a tick-borne illness?
No, not all ticks carry disease. It is impossible =
to tell by sight which ticks are infected. So it is important to avo=
id tick bites whenever possible.
Do all ticks transmit Lyme Disease?
No. Not all ticks carry the bacterium and a tick b=
ite does not always result in the development of Lyme Disease.
Which tick-borne disease is most common in Illinois=
?
Lyme Disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Il=
linois. Ke=
ep in mind that the bite of a deer tick can occur while traveling to Wisco=
nsin, Minnesota and other surrounding states.
=
Which tick transmits Lyme Disease?
In Illinois, the tick which transmits Lyme Disease is th=
e Black-legged or Deer Tick.<=
/span>
How common is the Black-legged or Deer tick in Illi=
nois?
The deer tick is well established in some areas in Illin=
ois, especially along the forested river corridors. Th=
at is not to say that you will not encounter ticks anywhere in the State.<=
/span>
How do ticks acquire Lyme Disease?
Deer ticks acquire the bacteriam that causes Lyme Diseas=
e by feeding on small mammals infected with the bacteria. The Deer T=
ick has a two year life cycle, and can acquire the disease at any feeding =
during that two year cycle.
What are the symptoms of Lyme Disease?
Symptoms vary greatly from person to person. A rin=
g-like or bulls eye rash occurs in about 70 - 80% of the cases. This=
rash is often accompanied by fatigue, chills, fever, headache, swollen ly=
mph nodes and joint and muscle pain.
When should I seek medical attention?
If you experience a rash or any unexplained illness acco=
mpanied by fever and have had possible tick exposure, consult with y=
our physician. Explain that you may have been bitten by a tick.
Can Lyme Disease be treated?
Yes. The usual course of treatment for Lyme Diseas=
e is antibiotics. The type and use varies depending on the patients =
symptoms and whether he/she was treated early in the infection.
What is the prognosis of Lyme Disease?
Patients treated with antibiotics in the early stages of=
the infection usually recover rapidly and completely. Most patients=
who are treated in the later stages of the disease, respond well to antib=
iotics. Varying degrees of permanent damage to joints or the nervous=
system can develop in patients with late Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease=
is rarely life threatening.
How can I avoid getting bit by a tick?
The best way to avoid tick bites is to avoid tick infest=
ed areas. If you are in wooded areas with tall grass and weeds, foll=
ow these precautions:
· We=
ar light colored clothing, so you can spot a tick on your clothing.=
· We=
ar long sleeved shirts and long pants. Tuck pant cuffs into socks.
· Ap=
ply insect repellent containing DEET (up to 30%) to clothing and sparingly=
to skin. Always wash hands after using any insect repellent and fol=
low label directions.
· Wa=
lk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush up against you.
· Ch=
eck yourself and your children every two to three hours for ticks.<=
/p>
How long does it take for a tick to transmit Lyme D=
isease?
In general, a ticks need to be attached for 36 hou=
rs before they can transmit the Lyme disease bacterium.
Can I only get Lyme Disease if I have been in the w=
oods or tall grassy areas?
NO. Ticks can also be carried by animals into lawn=
s and gardens and into houses by pets.
Which diseases can be transmitted by the bite of an=
infected tick?
The most common diseases transmitted by ticks is =
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, =
Ehr=
lichiosis, =
Lyme Disease and Tularemia.
What is Rocky Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is an infectious disease transmitt=
ed to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms of Rocky Moun=
tain Spotted Fever are a sudden onset of a fever (which can last for two t=
o three weeks), severe headache, fatigue, deep muscle pain, chills and ras=
h. The rash typically begins on the legs or arms.
In Illinois, which tick carries the disease for Roc=
ky Mountain Spotted Fever?
The most common carrier is the American Dog Tick. =
The adult tick is dark brown or black, with white markings behind the head=
. The Lone Star Tick has been known on occasion to carry the disease=
.
What is Ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is a disease of humans and animals caused b=
y bacteria that are transmitted through a bite of an infected tick.&=
nbsp; The Lone Star Tick, the American Dog Tick and the Deer Tick have bee=
n associated with this disease.
What are the symptoms of Ehrlichiosis?<=
/span>
Symptoms vary, but the most common include fever, headach=
e and muscle aches. A person may experience loss a appetite, nausea =
and vomiting. Occasionally accompanied by a rash.
What is Tularemia?
Tularemia is a bacterial disease associated with animals and hu=
mans. Not known to spread from person to person, people may become infecte=
d with Tularemia through:
· Bi=
te of an infected tick, deerfly or other insect
· Ha=
ndling infected bodies of dead animals
· Ea=
ting or drinking contaminated food or water
· Br=
eathing in the bacteria
What are the symptoms of Tularemia?
The symptoms from Tularemia may include, fever, chills, muscle =
pain and lack of energy. Antibiotics are used to treat Tularemia.
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