Although Lyme disease is not common in Florida, the transient population should be aware that the disease has been reported in all 50 States.  It is especially prevalent in the Northeast, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.  
Lyme disease is cause by the bite of a tiny deer tick that results in a systemic bacterial infection that has the potential of affecting every part of the body – joints, eyes, heart, lungs and the central nervous system.  The infected ticks occur in any area that deer inhabit but mice (in particular), birds and other animals help transport the ticks.

The disease can only be diagnosed by the clinical symptoms which can be so mild they are overlooked.  The danger is the disease can reoccur after many years of remission; and the tests for the disease are only 40 – 50% positive in patients who actually have the disease.  Undiagnosed and untreated cases can erupt as advanced diseases that are painful and debilitating.
    
Early stage:  Flu-like symptoms, stiff neck, fever, swollen lymph glands, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and joint pain.  These symptoms mimic many other diseases so an accurate clinical diagnosis is important so that a regime of antibiotics can be implemented.  Doctors familiar with the disease will proscribe antibiotics for a period of 3 – 6 months.  Short term use of antibiotics has shown a marked reoccurance of the disease anywhere from one to twenty years later.

The rash, if it occurs, is very distinctive – a red, swollen bulls-eye surrounded by a ring that may become quite large.  Again this is only reported in less than 50% of cases.  MOST PATIENTS CANNOT RECALL A BITE.

Late stage: Some symptoms and signs of Lyme disease may not appear until weeks, months, or years after a tick bite:
•    Arthritis is most likely to appear as brief bouts of pain and swelling, usually in one or more large joints, especially the knees.
•    Nervous system abnormalities can include numbness, pain, Bell's palsy (paralysis of the facial muscles, usually on one side), and meningitis (fever, stiff neck, and severe headache).
•    Less frequently, irregularities of the heart rhythm occur.
•    In some persons the rash never forms; in some, the first and only sign of Lyme disease is arthritis, and in others, nervous system problems are the only evidence of Lyme disease.
        Prevention:  Anyone who works or plays outdoors is at risk, so prevention is the best protection – avoid contact with tall grass, wooded areas, sitting on the ground.  Cover up when you hike and work outdoors, use DEET, do a body check, also hair and scalp after a day outdoors.  Include the family pet!

    It is important to tell your doctor if you have had Lime disease and are experiencing a relapse, or any of the late stage symptoms.

Information:  www.lymenet.org
                  www.lymepa.org
                  www.lymedisease.org