Lyme Disease Information

* While it is more likely to contract Lyme Disease from an infected tick that has been attached to you for at least 24 hours, it is still possible to have the bacteria entered into your system as soon as the tick bite happens. If the tick has the borrelia burgdorferi in its system, then it's in its saliva. Therefore, its bite can transmit the bacteria to you immediately, no matter how long it's attached to your body.

* More than half of those who contract Lyme Disease do not develop the bullseye rash that so commonly is associated with the disease and is the one definitive diagnosing symptom of the disease. Or, it may be that individuals with Lyme do not see the rash because it is hidden (underneath their hairline, on their back, etc...) Other symptoms to watch for after a tick bite are flu-like symptoms, joint aches, and headaches. 

* The common prophylactic 2 dose course of doxycycline given immediately after a tick bite as a preventative against Lyme Disease is not effective. What's more, it could possibly be worse for you than not taking these pills in the first place. This is because taking the 2 doses of doxycycline is enough treatment to tell your body it doesn't have to make antibodies against the Lyme bacteria. However, only 2 doses is not enough to kill the bacteria if it, in fact, has entered your body. Therefore, you could very well come down with Lyme Disease symptoms in the days to weeks following the tick bite, but the tests for Lyme Disease - which check for antibodies against Lyme Disease - will come out negative. Be sure to continue monitoring yourself for symptoms and, if Lyme Disease is suspected, consult a Lyme Literate doctor.

* About 99% of the medical community does not understand the complexities of Lyme Disease. And even the "Lyme experts" typical general practitioners send their patients to are not necessarily completely knowledgeable about this disease. "Lyme experts" tend to be infectious disease or rheumatoid MDs - not Lyme Literate MDs. It is important to get under the care of a Lyme Literate MD if you are concerned you may have contracted Lyme Disease and, of course, for the treatment that follows. 

* Lyme Disease is not a Northeast United States disease only. However, the deer tick that carries the borrelia burgdorferi bacteria is not common in other parts of the countries. But typical Lyme Disease symptoms (bullseye rash, flu like symptoms, swollen and painful joints, etc.) are found throughout the country as a result of bites from other types of ticks. These areas of the country name the resulting disease something other than Lyme Disease. But, basically, it's all the same thing.

Information gathered from presentation given by Lyme Disease expert and So. NH support groups facilitator, David Hunter, on May 17, 2012.