Lyme Disease is contracted through a tick infected with the spirochete bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi.  This bacterium is carried in small rodents such as white footed mice and voles.  Tick larve and nymphs from the Ixodes Scapularis family attach themselves to these rodents and engorge themselves.  While they are attached, the bacterium transfers from the rodent to the tick.  The tick will go dormant in the winter with the Borrelia Burgdorferi growing inside.  In the spring the tick comes out of dormancy and attaches itself to the nearest host it can find - from deer to pets to humans.  It takes about ten hours of feeding before the bacterium transfers from the tick to the host.  This is why it is important to remove a tick as soon as you discover it.  Otherwise, you will be infected with Borrelia Burgdorferi and will contract Lyme Disease if the tick is carrying this bacterium.  If the tick is engorged, it has probably been on you long enough to transfer it to you.

A well known member of the Ixodes Scapularis family is the deer tick.  It is fairly easy to spot an adult deer tick on you - but it can be almost impossible to locate a nymph.  The nymph is as small as the head of a pin and may resemble a tiny poppy seed on your skin.  Many people see what they think is a speck of dirt and wipe it right off, never realizing they had a tick on them.

This is an adult deer tick.  Remember, a young tick is so small you probably won't even know it is on you.

For proper tick removal, place tweezers on the head of the tick, as close to your skin as you can.  Gently pull the tick out in a straight motion.  Never twist as you are removing the tick.  Keep the tick in a ziplock bag for at least two weeks, as the tick can be tested for Lyme Disease if your own test is negative.  If the tick head is remaining in your skin, make an appointment with your doctor right away.

Unfortunately, symptoms of Lyme Disease are similar to many auto-immune conditions.  If a patient does not know he or she was bitten by a tick, the physician may not even consider the possibility of Lyme Disease.  Time will pass as the patient undergoes many tests, remaining untreated for weeks to months to years.  Lyme Disease is much more easy to cure with treatment beginning in the first week of contraction.  Long term Lyme Disease is extremely difficult to treat, if not impossible to some.  Additionally, there is great debate in the proper treatment of late stage Lyme Disease, resulting in many patients suffering further damage as they search for correct treatment.

There are several tests that can be conducted to detect Lyme Disease.  Unfortunately, it is common to have the disease and test negative.  If you receive a test in the first month of your disease, you will probably test negative for Lyme Disease.  That is why it is imperative for a knowledgeable physician to review a patient's symptoms and begin treatment immediately with antibiotics, despite a negative Lyme Disease test.  If the patient knows of a recent tick bite and is displaying symptoms despite a negative Lyme Disease test, treatment must be started right away.  If the patient is displaying symptoms, does not know of a tick bite but lives in an area that is known for ticks, again, treatment should begin.  "Treat from the symptoms, not from the test."

• Erythema Migrans, or "Bullseye Rash."  This is a rash that may form around the tick bite, looking similar to a bullseye.  Not everyone who contracts Lyme Disease will get this rash - while some will form a rash on other places of the body.  If you do not have a bullseye rash, it does not mean you have not contracted the disease.

• Cold or flu-like symptoms after the bite.

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Joint Pain

• Headaches

• Muscle Pain

• Chills

• Tingling or Numbness

• Sore Throat

• Vision Problems

• Facial Palsey (Paralysis of the Face)

• Arthritis, which can cause permanent damage if in late stage Lyme Disease.

• Heart Damage

• Neurological Disorders

• Short Term Memory

• Damage to the Nervous System

There are several tests available to diagnose Lyme Disease.  Remember, tests will probably show negative in the first month, and can still be negative for months to years later.  Additionally, if treatment begins immediately for Lyme Disease as it should, even the best tests may still show negative in the future because the bacterium levels can remain low.

• ELISA Test (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Test or Blot Test) - This is a simple blood test that can detect Lyme Disease after the first month of contraction.

• C6 Lyme Peptide ELISA - A very sensitive test to detect Lyme Disease.

If the above tests show negative results but symptoms remain, a  PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test can be performed.  Fluids from a spinal tap or synovial fluid from the joint is tested for the bacterium.

The antibiotics Doxycycline, Amoxicillin or Ceftin are often used in the first four weeks of contraction to treat Lyme Disease.  Although there is debate over the length of time antibiotics are given, many physicians are finding a greater chance for cure if antibiotic treatment continues for four weeks after all symptoms are gone.  If the patient demonstrates any lingering symptoms of Lyme Disease, the bacterium is still present and antibiotics should continue.

Later stages of Lyme Disease are often treated with intravenous Ceftriaxone (Rocephin).

If you live in an area with brush, shrubs, wood or sand, you are certainly near a tick population.  Keep your yard clear of wood and debris and avoid walking near bushes and trees.  Do not sit on brick or stone walls.

When you are preparing to go outdoors, spray yourself with tick repellant that contains deet.  You may spray your clothes with repellant as well.  Wear light clothes and tuck your pants into your socks.  Tie your hair back and walk in the middle of trails.  Remember, ticks are active in temperatures over 45 degrees.