Lyme Disease (LD) is an infection caused by a spirochete (spiral-shaped bacterium) that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick or misquito. About 220,000 Americans develop LD each year, making it the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States. But according to the CDC, only 10% of LD cases are even reported.�
LD is called ``The Great Imitator'', because its symptoms mimic many other diseases; however, when LD is diagnosed and treated properly and promptly, most people recover quickly. On the other hand, many doctors are unfamiliar with its symptoms. Untreated, or inadequately treated, LD can cause serious life-long health problems, which can lead to permanent disability. �
People with persistent LD often experience unrelenting, debilitating fatigue; cognitive problems; neurological damage; arthritis; heart damage; vision or hearing deficits; or psychiatric problems.
The most obvious LD symptoms are: * flat or slightly raised red lesion at the site of the tick bite (occurs in less than 40% of cases) * flu in summer * fever * headache * lethargy * muscle pains * stiff neck * joint inflammation in the knees or other large joints, and * depression. Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include itching, strange behavior, as well as a host of other possible symptoms.
Prevention is Key
* Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are more visible, tuck the bottoms of long pants into your socks if you walk in tall grass or brush and no sandles. * Use a permethrin spray which repels ticks. Products are availible that repeal ticks from clothing for up to two weeks, including washing. * Check for ticks on thigh, groin, underarms, backs of knees, behind the ears and on the neck at the hairline -- check children and pets. * Avoid exposure to ticks when possible and, if you are bitten, promptly removing the tick. * Remove a tick by grasping with tweezers at the tick head as close to skin as possible. Gently and slowly pull the tick up and away from skin. Disinfect the site with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Wash hands afterwards. * Retain the tick and if symptoms occur send the tick to a reputable lab to be tested and seek addional advice.
Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
linda,
MY CORRECTIONS ARE IN CAPS.
Good job.
Lyme Disease (LD) is an infection caused by a spirochete (spiral-shaped bacterium) that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick or MOSQUITO. About 220,000 Americans develop LD each year, making it the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States. But according to the CDC, only 10% of LD cases are even reported.
LD is called ``The Great Imitator'', because its symptoms mimic many other diseases; however, when LD is diagnosed and treated properly and promptly, most people recover quickly. On the other hand, many doctors are unfamiliar with its symptoms. Untreated, or inadequately treated, LD can cause serious life-long health problems, which can lead to permanent disability.
People with persistent LD often experience unrelenting, debilitating fatigue; cognitive problems; neurological damage; arthritis; heart damage; vision or hearing deficits; or psychiatric problems.
The most obvious LD symptoms are: * flat or slightly raised red lesion at the site of the tick bite (occurs in less than 40% of cases) * flu-LIKE SYMPTOMS in summer * fever * headache * lethargy * muscle pains * stiff neck * joint inflammation in the knees or other large joints, and * depression. Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include itching, PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS, as well as a host of other possible symptoms.
Prevention is Key
* Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are more visible, tuck the bottoms of long pants into your socks if you walk in tall grass or brush and no sandles. * Use a permethrin spray which repels ticks. Products are availible that repeal ticks from clothing for up to two weeks, including washing. * Check for ticks on thigh, groin, underarms, backs of knees, behind the ears and on the neck at the hairline -- check children and pets. * Avoid exposure to ticks when possible and, if you are bitten, promptly removE the tick. * Remove a tick by grasping with tweezers at the tick head as close to skin as possible. Gently and slowly pull the tick up and away from skin. Disinfect the site with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Wash hands afterwards. * Retain the tick and if symptoms occur send the tick to a reputable lab to be tested and seek addional advice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Great job! I think you should add that one should never use chemicals, vaseline, or matches to get the tick to loosen its hold.
Posted by Linda LD (Member # 6663) on :
Oh I'm in trouble--I need to document this--does anyone have the cdc site about vector illness?
THANK YOU!
L
Posted by lymex5&counting (Member # 7202) on :
3 more typos
Products are available that repel ticks (it says availible and repeal)
and last line additional is spelled incorrectly
LOOKS GREAT!!!
[ 17. May 2006, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: lymex5&counting ]
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
LYME DISEASE is Ld...small d; needs changing entire article.
ADDITONS OR MISTAKES in ALL CAPS'
quote:Originally posted by Linda LD:
Lyme Disease (Ld) is an infection caused by a spirochete (spiral-shaped bacterium) that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick or misquito. About 220,000 Americans develop Ld each year, making it the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States. But according to the CDC, only 10% of LD cases are even reported.�
Ld is called ``The Great Imitator'', because its symptoms mimic many other diseases; however, when LD is diagnosed, treated properly and promptly; most people recover quickly.
On the other hand, many doctors are unfamiliar with its symptoms. Untreated, or inadequately treated, Ld can cause serious life-long health problems, which can lead to permanent disability AND DEATH. LONG TERM LYME IS CALLED CHRONIC LYME DISEASE, AND THOSE PATIENTS WILL NEVER BE CURED, BUT HOPE TO REACH REMISSION LEVEL.
People with persistent Ld often experience unrelenting, debilitating fatigue; cognitive problems; neurological damage; arthritis; heart damage; vision or hearing deficits; or psychiatric problems.
The most obvious LD symptoms are:
* flat or slightly raised red lesion at the site of the tick bite (occurs in less than 40% of cases) * flu-LIKE SYMPTOMS...all year round! * fever * headache * lethargy * muscle pains * stiff neck . EXTREME SENSITIVITIES TO LIGHTS, GLARE, REFLECTIONS, SOUNDS/NOISE, AND CHEMICAL SMELLS, * joint inflammation in the knees or other large joints, and * depression.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include itching, strange behavior RESULTING IN A MENTAL ILLNESS, as well as a host of other possible symptoms.
Prevention is Key
* Wear light-COLORED clothing so ticks are more visible, tuck the bottoms of long pants into your socks if you walk in tall grass or brush and no sandles. * Use a permethrin spray which rePEALS ticks. Products are availible that repeal ticks from clothing for up to two weeks, including washing. * Check for ticks on thighS, groin, underarms, back of knees, behind the ears, and on the neck at the hairline -- check children and pets. * Avoid exposure to ticks when possible and, if you are bitten, promptly removing the tick. * Remove a tick by grasping with tweezers at the tick head as close to skin as possible. PULL GENTLY the tick STRAIGHT OUT. . Disinfect the site with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Wash hands afterwards. * SAVE THE TICK IN A TIGHTLY CLOSED CONTAINER WITH A BLADE OF GRASS AND REFRIGERATE. THE THE DATE AND LOCATION OF THE BITE. . IF symptoms occur, send the tick to a reputable lab, LIKE IGENEX, to be tested and seek additional advice from a CHRONIC LYME LITERATE MD.
Hope I might have made your deadline; late coming in today. Bettyg
Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :
(My corrections in caps)
Instead of "On the other hand," say "UNFORTUNATELY, many doctors are unfamiliar with its symptoms."
And...
"Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are more visible, tuck the bottoms of long pants into your socks if you walk in tall grass or brush, and DO NOT WEAR SANDALS.
Lastly...
"...seek ADDITIONAL advice."
It looks good -- thanks for the hard work to describe a complex illness in such a succinct manner!
Regards, Shaz
Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
You wrote: * Use a permethrin spray which repels ticks. Products are availible that repeal ticks from clothing for up to two weeks, including washing. [end quote]
This makes it sound like you can spray permethrin on yourself - you shouldn't and it isn't effective when used that way.
You should say " Use a tick repellent with less than 33% DEET on skin and clothing. Permethrin spray which kills ticks and biting flies can be sprayed on and allowed to dry on clothing, and will last through several washings."