The Link between
Flu-like Symptoms and Lyme Disease
Many people are unaware of the dangers associated with Lyme
disease, an illness known to be transmitted by the blacklegged
tick, also referred to as the deer tick. The blacklegged tick
feeds on rodents and small animals that carry the bacterium
Borrelia Burgdorferi. Consequently, the tick becomes infected
and can transmit the bacteria to humans through a bite.
 Contrary
to popular belief, Lyme disease is not contagious through
kissing or touching, and while dogs and cats can be bitten
by an infected tick, there is no reported evidence that they
can transmit the disease to humans. However, pets can carry
infected ticks into the house, increasing the risk of illness
to its human inhabitants.
Symptoms of Lyme disease
Lyme disease symptoms are most commonly experienced
in three stages. Though rare, some people experience no symptoms
at all during stage 1, and not all people will experience
all 3 of the stages.
Stage 1:
Usually, the first Lyme disease symptom to appear
is erythema migrans, a distinct circular rash on the skin
that begins at the site of the bite within 1 to 4 weeks. The
rash may increase in size over time. It occurs in approximately
70% to 80% of infected people, and many experience additional
flu-like symptoms such as:
 fever- headaches
- muscle and/or joint pain
- stiffness in the neck
- chills
- low energy and exhaustion
- swollen lymph nodes
Stage 2:
If left untreated, Lyme disease symptoms can become more serious.
Within weeks, sometimes months after the initial bite, the
disease can trigger ailments within the nervous system and
heart, as well as other more pronounced symptoms such as:
- multiple skin rashes
- pain and/or numbing of arms and legs
- moderate to severe headaches
- fainting
- pinkeye (eye infections)
- muscle spasms
- arthritic pain
- heart palpitations
- serious fatigue and exhaustion
Stage 3:
If not effectively treated, Lyme disease symptoms in the third
stage can cause health problems for numerous months and sometimes
years after the initial infection. Fatalities from Lyme disease
are rare, but without proper medical intervention, the illness
can develop into a chronic disease, including chronic arthritis
and neurological disorders. If a pregnant woman is bitten
by an infected tick, the bacteria can produce adverse effects
on the unborn child, which can lead to miscarriage or still
births.
Symptoms in the third stage are as follows:
- severe fatigue and exhaustion
- chronic Lyme arthritis
- swelling of the joints (especially the knees)
- partial facial nerve paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
- memory loss
- lack of concentration or focus
- moderate to severe mood changes
- sleep disorders
- problems in speaking
- moderate to severe chronic heart problems and/or nervous
system disorders
Precautions against Lyme disease
Taking certain precautions in order to prevent Lyme
disease is the wise thing to do. Not only will it help avoid
Lyme disease, but it will also decrease the risk of getting
other tick and mosquito borne illnesses such as West Nile
Virus and Yellow Fever. Note the following precaution recommendations:
Wear protective clothing: Ensure that your
clothes cover as much of your skin as possible (long sleeves
and long pants). Avoid wearing sandals or open-toed shoes,
especially when in a wooded area. Light-colored clothing will
make it easier for you to detect ticks on you.
Apply insect repellent: Use a strong bug
spray over your entire body, including your clothes. A high
DEET level is most effective.
Safely remove ticks: Any ticks on your body
must be carefully removed with tweezers. Slowly pull them
out by the head and mouth (the part of the tick that is closest
to your skin). Never crush or swat the tick, as it can provoke
it to latch on even tighter.
If you suspect that you may have
contracted Lyme disease, or are
experiencing some or all of the
Lyme disease symptoms, contact your
doctor immediately. Early detection
is the key to preventing this ailment
from escalating into a serious chronic
condition.
Article written by Anna DeGaborik
Anna DeGaborik is the author
for the All Mosquito
Netting Info website. She studies insect diseases and
prevention, specializing in mosquitoes.
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