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Lyme Disease (tick-borne borreliosis, Lyme arthritis)

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Lyme disease may cause symptoms affecting the skin, nervous system, heart and/or joints of an individual. Counties in New York State that border the Hudson River have higher numbers of cases than the western part of the state.

Who gets Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease can affect people of any age. People who spend time in grassy or wooded environments are at an increased risk of exposure. The chances of being bitten by a deer tick are greater when ticks are most active. Deer ticks in the nymphal stage are active from mid-May to mid-August and are about the size of poppy seeds. Adult ticks, which are approximately the size of sesame seeds, are most active in mid to late fall, however, ticks can be active anytime temperatures are above freezing.

How is Lyme disease transmitted?

Not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Ticks can become infected if they feed on small animals that are infected. The disease can be spread when a tick infected with the bacteria bites a person and stays attached for a period of time.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

In 60%-80% of the cases, a large, reddish rash about 2 inches in diameter appears and expands around or near the site of the bite. Sometimes, multiple rash sites appear. The early stage of Lyme disease is usually marked by one or more of the following symptoms and signs: chills and fever, headache, fatigue, stiff neck, muscle and/or joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. If untreated, complications from late Lyme disease, such as arthritis, meningitis, facial palsy or heart abnormalities, may occur within a few weeks to months. These later symptoms may develop in people who did not have early symptoms or did not recognize them. Swelling and pain in the large joints may recur over many years.

When do symptoms appear?

Early symptoms may develop a week to a month after the tick bite. Does past infection with Lyme disease make a person immune? Information available at present indicates that re-infection is possible.

What is the treatment for Lyme disease?

Current therapy includes the use of such antibiotics as amoxicillin, doxycycline and ceftriaxone. Duration of therapy varies, usually 2-4 weeks. Prognosis is improved with prompt diagnosis and appropriate, early treatment.

What can be done to prevent Lyme disease?

When in tick-infested habitat special precautions to prevent tick bites should be taken, such as wearing light-colored clothing (for easy tick discovery) and showering when coming in from outside to check for ticks. Consider the use of repellents. Check after every two to three hours of outdoor activity for ticks on clothing or skin. Brush off any ticks on clothing before skin attachment occurs. A thorough check of body surfaces for attached ticks should be done at the end of the day.

How should a tick be removed?

Grasp the mouthparts with tweezers as close as possible to the attachment (skin) site. Be careful not to squeeze, crush or puncture the body of the tick, which may contain infectious fluids. After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash hands. See or call a doctor if there are concerns about incomplete tick removal. Do not attempt to remove ticks by using petroleum jelly, lit cigarettes or other home remedies because these may actually increase the chance of contracting a tick-borne disease. Watch yourself for rash or other symptoms for the next month, and contact your health care provider if any develop.

Lyme disease Information Phone Line and more resources.

For further information, you can visit the web sites for The Center for Disease Control and The New York State Department of Health, links to these sites can be found on this page. The Columbia County Department of Health Lyme Disease Information Line is also available by calling (518)828-7539.