LYME DISEASE IN MADISON

Lyme disease is one of the most common diseases in Connecticut with numerous cases every year in Madison. It is spread by deer ticks, and while it is most common in warm weather, the ticks can be active during warmer days at any time of year. Symptoms can vary greatly and so diagnosis, in the absence of a blood test, can be difficult. As a rule of thumb, Lyme Disease should be considered with the onset of flu-like symptoms at any time of year. Antibiotic treatment in the early stages of the disease is usually effective but both symptoms and treatment become much more problematic if the disease is allowed to progress to later stages. Lyme disease can be debilitating if not treated early.

A few facts about Lyme Disease.

1.) Not all ticks carry Lyme Disease. Ticks come in roughly two varieties. The larger, called the dog tick is slightly larger than a newsprint letter “o” and cannot carry the disease. The smaller deer tick (about the size of a pin head) can, but does not necessarily carry Lyme Disease. About 20-25% of the deer ticks in Madison carry the bacteria for Lyme Disease.

2.) To transmit Lyme Disease an infected deer tick needs to be imbedded in a host for about 24 hours.

3.) A characteristic “bulls-eye” skin rash often precedes the onset of flu-like symptoms and is a good indicator of the imminent onset of the disease. The rash is not always present and so its absence should not be taken as a sign that the disease is not present.

4.) You may never see the tick that infected you.

5.) You can get Lyme disease more than once. This writer has been infected four times (and never saw the ticks that caused the disease).

6.) Testing individual ticks for infection is not a good diagnostic indicator. A blood test is faster and more definitive while testing a tick says nothing about whether the patient has the disease or not.

7.) There was an approved vaccine for the prevention of Lyme Disease, but it has been withdrawn from the market.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes an excellent brochure called “Lyme Disease: A Public Information Guide” and we also print a brochure about how to landscape to reduce ticks “Get Ticked off – Take Control Over Ticks.” Both are distributed by the Madison Health Department at Town Campus, Scranton Memorial Library and The Depot.

The American Lyme Disease Foundation (ADLF) has an informative web site: www.aldf.com

The Westport-Weston Health District also maintains an informative web site: www.wwhd.org