The health departments across the United States report about 30,000 cases of Lyme disease each year to the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention. However, it is thought that the number of actual cases of Lyme disease that occur in the United States could be 10 times that amount, at around about 300,000 or more cases each year. People who have Lyme disease have been bitten by a tick and have been infected with a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. This infection can case a rash, flu-like symptoms, and even arthritis and joint pain if it is not treated quickly enough. Knowing everything you can about Lyme disease can help your recognize symptoms as soon as they start so you can get treatment. It will also help you take preventative measures against ticks so Lyme disease is never developed. Below are five important facts that will help you understand Lyme disease so you can avoid ever being infected.
1.) Treatment Is Better Sooner
Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics and other medications prescribed by your doctor. The sooner a person gets treatment, the better off they will be. People can experience arthritis, joint pain, and even neurological problems if Lyme disease goes untreated for too long. The people who experience relapses with Lyme disease symptoms are the ones who did not get treatment early on. Getting treatment sooner will ensure that the symptoms go away and that they do not affect your body for a long period of time. Make sure to watch out for early symptoms to ensure early treatment.
2.) Not All Ticks Carry Lyme Disease
There are many different types of ticks, and not all of them carry Lyme disease. You need to be concerned about ticks called black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. These ticks are most prominent in northeast, north-central, and mid-Atlantic states. There are some on the Pacific coast in the western United States, but they are much more uncommon. You can look at pictures in books or online to see what these ticks look like compared to other ticks.
3.) You Can Only Get Lyme Disease From Tick Bites
People cannot give Lyme disease to other people. This is good news for those with loved ones who have been infected. The infection can only come from a tick that is carrying the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. You also cannot get Lyme disease from a dog that has been infected. Dogs can carry ticks into the home from the backyard or the park. Make sure to check them before they come back into the house after playing outside.
4.) Lyme Disease Symptoms Mimic Other Diseases
The symptoms that are common with Lyme disease are: fatigue, pain, headaches, flu-like symptoms, a rash, neck stiffness, joint aches, and vision problems. Many of these symptoms are common in other diseases and infections. This is why Lyme disease is often referred to as the great imitator. It mimics symptoms of diseases like Bells Palsy, MS, and Fatigue Syndrome. You should always be specific with your doctor about your symptoms so they can diagnose you properly.
5.) Tick Bites Often Go Unnoticed
Ticks are very small, often the size of a poppy seed or the period at the end of a sentence. People do not feel when a tick bites them because of their size. Ticks will also numb the skin before biting, making it incredibly difficult to feel a bite when it occurs. It is also very difficult to feel a tick when it crawls on you because of its size. You should always check yourself for ticks or have someone else check you if you have been in an area where the population of ticks is high. Getting the tick off of you as soon as possible if your best chance in not developing Lyme disease.