1. By Jackie Crozier

2.  Borrelia burgdorferi  Carried by blacklegged ticks

3. Most common places found for Lyme disease: -Virginia to Maine - Wisconsin and Minnesota - northern California

5.  1 st stage- early localized Lyme disease.  2 nd stage- early disseminated Lyme disease.  3 rd stage- late disseminated Lyme disease.

6.  Outside activities  Pet carrying it inside  Walking in high grasses

7.  24-36 hours for disease to spread  Many people with this disease never saw the tick  Most people who are bitten do not get Lyme disease

8.  Itching  Chills  Fever  Headache  Light-headedness  Muscle pain  Stiff neck  Erythema migrans (EM) or “bull’s eye” rash

9.  Additional EM lesions  Facial or Bell’s Palsy  Severe Headaches  Pain and swelling in large joints  Shooting pains interfering with sleep  Heart palpitations and dizziness  Resolve over a period of weeks to months

10.  Approx. 60% begin to show signs of arthritis  Up to 5% may develop chronic neurological complaints  Approx. 10-20% have symptoms that last months to years

11.  Blood test  Electrocardiogram  Echocardiogram for heart  Spinal tap  MRI of the brain

12.  A 2-4 week course of antibiotics  Specific antibiotics depend on the stage of Lyme disease  Pain medications, such as ibuprofen, can be prescribed for joint stiffness

13.  Avoid wooded or bushy areas  Walk in center of trails  Check yourself and pets frequently during and after a long walk  Shower soon after coming indoors to wash off any unseen ticks

14.  American Lyme Disease Foundation American Lyme Disease Foundation  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  PubMed Health PubMed Health