You might think you’re immune to Lyme disease because you don’t hike in the woods or go hunting. But you don’t have to go in the woods to get Lyme disease. You can get Lyme disease in your backyard, going for a walk in the park or your pets can bring ticks into your house. Pennsylvania has the highest rate of Lyme disease in the United States.
You might think that you would know if a tick bit you because you would get a bull’s eye rash. But, fewer than 50 percent of patients with Lyme disease recall a tick bite or a rash.
You might think you can only get Lyme disease in the spring, summer and fall. But, ticks are active year round. They don’t die in the winter. Anytime temperatures are above freezing, ticks are active.
Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis – based on your medical history, symptoms and exposure to ticks. Because the typical diagnostic tests for Lyme are so insensitive, a negative test result does not mean you don’t have Lyme.
Lyme disease has been called the great imitator. It can be a multi-system disease affecting one or many systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, neurological, ophthalmological, cardiovascular, and more. Complicating things further, Lyme disease often mimics the symptoms of other diseases. Misdiagnosis include: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson’s and many more.
To prevent Lyme disease, wear light colored clothing so it’s easier to identify ticks if any get on you. Keep your pants tucked into your socks and use repellents on your skin. Clothing and shoes can be treated with Permethrin. Shower soon after being outdoors and conduct tick checks on children, pets and yourself. And finally, use tick and flea preventatives on your pets.
The Valley Lyme Disease support group will meet the first Tuesday of each month at Spalding Memorial Library in Athens. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The group will provide support to those suffering from Lyme disease and their loved ones. For additional information, call (607) 237-5499 or email valleylyme@gmail.com.
