Your Health Matters

This is a continuation of last weeks article- the subject being about "ticks"--and as I promised the subject will be about diseases ticks spread. If you would like to read last weeks article (July 19) go on line to unionsentinel.com and click on News Archives and choose the date and when the front page comes up choose Arts & Leisure and page down to Your Health Matters.

The number one disease that comes to mind when we think of ticks is Lyme disease. Named after a town in Connecticut where, in 1975, it was first recognized. It is transmitted by a group of closely related species of ticks- which are very small-- the group consists of deer ticks, western black-legged ticks, and the black legged ticks. These ticks are much smaller than the common dog or cattle ticks- you may need a magnifying glass to see them well enough to tell "that dark spot on you is a tick!" They attach to any part of the body, often to moist or hairy areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 23,305 cases of Lyme disease in the US in 2005. Most occurred in the costal northeast, Mid-Atlantic States, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and northern California. The CDC reports only 434 cases of Lyme disease in Georgia since 1990. The overwhelming majority of cases are reported in the summer months when ticks are most active and people spend more time outdoors. The CDC depends on health care professionals to report cases of the disease.

If a tick has bitten you, watch the site for symptoms of Lyme disease. The first sign is a bull's-eye rash that forms on the skin at the bite site. (This first manifestation occurs in about 90% of patients- this is when you should immediately seek medical attention). The circles of alternate red and white rings, giving the appearance of a bull's eye- for target practice! I've actually seen one that was more blue, red and white- bruised from rubbing or scratching. This rash may form within a few days or even weeks. This may come and then go and you didn't feel bad and so did nothing. Or malaise, fatigue, fever, headache, arthralgia and a stiff neck may accompany the lesion. Then the second stage begins which has been known to start in a few months or even years later.

In this stage, bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) may infect joint tissue, causing arthritis, or infect cardiac muscles, weakening tissue around the heart. In some reported cases the bacteria has attacked the central nervous system, causing brain damage, memory loss, depression or dementia. However, it is rarely, if ever, fatal.

Most human cases of Lyme disease occur after bites from the nymphal stage of the infected tick, and usually require more than 24 hours of attachment for transmission. You may develop the symptoms and yet have no known history of a tick bite. You should seek medical attention. There are diagnostic blood test that can be done, but the doctor will more than likely start you on antibiotics immediately while waiting for the results. There is no evidence of natural transmission of Lyme disease from person to person.

"To avoid getting Lyme disease, you have to avoid being fed on by ticks," said Nancy Hinkle, an extension entomologist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. "Hunters and hikers are the most commonly affected, due to their exposure to the outdoors."

The best line of defense, Hinkle recommends, is buying and using insect repellents, which contain DEET as the active ingredient that is effective on skin. It is very important to read and follow the directions. Some repellents aren't safe for use on skin.

"For clothing, use a repellent with Permethrin as the active ingredient, do not use on the skin", according to Hinkle. Lay your clothing out on a newspaper. First spray one side, and then flip the clothing over and spray the other side. Let the clothes dry overnight.

Remember, if you have been outside in woody and grassy areas check your body for ticks. Check your hairline and around your ears. Also check your socks, waistband, underarms, in natural body folds and other tight underwear.

Next week my subject will be about another tick-borne disease- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). There were 86 cases of confirmed and probable RMSF in Georgia in 2005. One case, a 9-year-old from northwest Georgia, was fatal. In Union County and immediate surrounding counties there were no reported cases of (RMSF).

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains, near Blairsville.

Source:www.unionsentinel.com