Lyme disease

Lyme disease is a tick transmitted disease of people and animals that is caused by a microscopic bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. In nature, Lyme disease is most often associated with mammals such as white footed mice, deer mice, and deer, as well as birds. In people, symptoms of this illness vary quite a lot, and as a result, Lyme disease has been called “the great imitator” as symptoms can mimic other diseases. The infection often starts out as a skin rash with or without flu-like symptoms, and can progress to arthritic, cardiac, or neurological disease if not properly diagnosed and treated.

The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a skin rash that occurs at the location of the tick bite within 2 to 30 days. The rash often takes on a bull’s eye appearance beginning as a flat or raised red area with partial central clearing that slowly expands out from the site of the bite over several days. The rash can also appear as a bruise-like rash or any other type of unusual rash. If left untreated, the rash will disappear within 3 weeks.

Flu-like symptoms may also occur at this stage of the disease. These symptoms include headache, chills, pains in the joints, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, fever, aching muscles, stiff neck, sore throat, and vomiting. If left untreated, these symptoms will also disappear within 10 days. The later stages of Lyme disease can involve arthritic, cardiac, and neurological complications. These symptoms can occur weeks, months or even years after the initial symptoms have disappeared.

Lyme disease occurs from the bite of a certain species of tick. The tick known to transmit this infection in Ontario is the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Not all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Blacklegged ticks and other tick species can be found on tall grass and brush in woodland areas. Ixodes scapularis can be as small as a pinhead, and since its bite is painless, many victims of Lyme disease are unaware they have ever been bitten.

For an infection to occur, the tick must remain attached to its victim for more than 24 hours.

Removing a tick is the same for humans and animals. It is important that you don’t crush or damage the tick. If you find a tick attached:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin as possible and gently pull straight up.
• Wash the area with soap and water.
• If found on a human, you can:
  • Put the tick in a dry container and bring it to Public Health to be sent for species identification. Or,
  • Submit a photo of the tick to etick.ca for species identification.

Ticks are no longer tested for the Lyme disease bacteria. If you find a tick feeding on you, monitor for symptoms. If you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease, follow up with your primary health care provider or pharmacist to determine if you need treatment.

If detected early, Lyme disease can be easily treated with antibiotics. Later stages of disease may require more aggressive antibiotic therapy. Anyone who has been bitten by a tick and develops the above-mentioned symptoms should contact their primary health care provider. If possible, save the tick and bring it to Public Health or submit a photo to etick.ca for species identification.

Areas where there is tall grass, wooded area, and bushes (including city gardens and parks) pose an increased risk of potential tick exposure for those who live, work, or visit in these areas.

Those who are involved in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and gardening are also at an increased risk of being exposed to ticks.

To avoid getting a tick bite the following is recommended:

• Wear light coloured clothing outdoors. It makes ticks easier to spot.
• Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
• Wear closed footwear and socks, when walking through fields or woods.
• Tuck your pants into your socks.
• Use a tick repellent containing DEET. Apply it to your skin and outer clothing. Always read the label for directions before use.
• Check your pets when they come indoors and ask your veterinarian about options to keep ticks off your pets.
• Search your body well for ticks after walking through fields or woods. Pay special attention to areas such as behind the knees, head and hair, the groin, belly button, and armpits. It’s a good idea to have a shower as soon as you can to wash off any ticks.