How Do You Get Lyme Disease Other Than Ticks

What Are The Roles Of Other Animals In Lyme Disease Transmission

Early Disseminated Lyme Disease

If left untreated, the infection can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic vessels within weeks to months where it may affect the joints, nervous system, heart, or other organs. Symptoms of early disseminated Lyme disease include:

• Multiple bull’s eye rashes on various parts of the body.
• Weakness or paralysis in the muscles of the face
• Stiff and painful neck, which may be a sign of Lyme meningitis
• Heart problems symptoms include light-headedness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting

Which Tick Causes Tick Paralysis

The paralysis tick is the most harmful tick we have in Australia. There are two types of this tiny terror:

• The eastern paralysis tick: this tick is the most common delinquent causing tick paralysis in Australia. It is found along the eastern coast, stretching as far as North Queensland down to Northern Victoria.
• The southern paralysis tick: this tick is found in Tasmania, southern Victoria and in south-eastern New South Wales.

Only the adult female paralysis tick can cause paralysis in dogs and cats. When fully engorged, they are bluish to light grey in colour. In comparison, bush ticks, cattle ticks and brown dog ticks are brown or dark grey in colour.

Also Check: Earliest Signs Of Lyme Disease

How Do Borrelia Bacteria Make Their Way Into Ticks And Humans

Humans, ticks, and Borrelia spirochetes are players in a complex pathogen-vector-host relationship:

• Ticks pick up disease-causing germs , including Lyme disease bacteria, while feeding on mice, birds, chipmunks, shrews, and other small animals .

• The ticks then become carriers of those infections, and can pass them on to new hosts humans and larger animals, such as pets and deer when they bite them for their next blood meal.

Over their life cycle, black-legged ticks have many opportunities to pick up Lyme disease bacteria and transmit the pathogens to humans, pets, and other animals.

Highly Restricted Lyme Tracking

Dr. Lambert also highlights a major flaw in the Lyme disease tracking in Ireland: Reporting is only required for the most serious neurological manifestations of the disease, i.e., patients who have been admitted to a hospital and have had a lumbar puncture that shows specific abnormalities in the cerebral spinal fluid.

Other topics covered include the undercounting of Lyme cases in Canada and the United Kingdom, the geographic spread of Lyme in Europe, and the need to treat patients according to symptoms, not one-size-fits-all guidelines.

He goes on to cite evidence that treating with longer courses of combinations of antibiotic yields better patient results.

This free, accredited Continuing Medical Education is brought to you by the Invisible Education Initiative, funded by the Montecalvo Foundation.

You May Like: Lyme Disease Test Turnaround Time

What Is The Outlook For Someone With Lyme Disease

Most of the people who get Lyme disease and receive treatment early will be fine. Treatment can cure Lyme disease but you might still have some long-term effects. Untreated Lyme disease may contribute to other serious problems but its rarely fatal.

Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome

Even after proper treatment, some people may experience lingering fatigue, achiness or headaches. This is known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome or PTLDS. The symptoms dont mean that you still have an infection. PTLDS probably wont respond to additional antibiotics. The majority of people in this group will have symptoms that resolve at some point over the next six months.

Chronic Lyme disease

Chronic Lyme disease is a term used by some for a condition in a person who had Lyme disease and the symptoms of PTLDS. Some people consider chronic Lyme disease to be the same as PTLDS. However, some people receive a chronic Lyme disease diagnosis without a Lyme disease diagnosis. Sometimes, extended treatment with antibiotics helps.

This term may be why some people think a Lyme disease infection can occur without being bitten by a tick. There isn’t enough proof that mosquitoes can transmit Lyme disease. Many researchers dislike using the term chronic Lyme disease.

What Does Tick Paralysis In Dogs Look Like

Ticks on dogs can be harmful. Look out for these signs for a paralysis tick bite, even if you havent spotted the pest on your dog:

• Difficulty standing , or uncoordinated when walking
• Difficulty sitting or rising from a lying position
• Change in sound of bark or howl
• Difficulty breathing, or rapid breathing and panting
• Inability to blink in one or both eyes
• Progressive paralysis, often starting in hind legs
• Respiratory failure

Paralysis ticks can also affect cats

Go to your vet immediately if your feline shows any of the following symptoms:

• Gagging or retching
• Loss of appetite
• In later stages you might notice difficulty in walking or a lack of balance

Symptoms from a paralysis tick bite might linger for two to three days after a tick bite, sometimes even up to one week. So just because your dog isnt showing any signs of sickness, a trip to your vet is still highly recommended.

Also Check: Lyme Disease And Back Pain

How To Avoid Tick Bites

To reduce the chance of being bitten:

• cover your skin while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
• use insect repellent on your clothes and skin products containing DEET are best
• stay on clear paths whenever possible
• wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to see and brush off

History Of Lyme Disease

A team of researchers from the Yale School of Public Health has reported that âthe Lyme disease bacterium is ancient in North America, circulating silently in forests for at least 60,000 yearsâlong before the disease was first described in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1976,â and long before the arrival of Europeans in the U.S. In a biblical timeline, this might correspond to a time shortly after Noahâs worldwide flood . This is long before the disease was first described in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1976 by Allen Steere, M.D. This early diversity suggests that the recent epidemic of human Lyme disease has been fueled not by adaptive changes in the bacteria but by ecological changeâdriven by ecosystem disruption from human activity, such as increased deforestation and hunting, and by changes in weather âwhich has influenced the movement of Lyme-hosting birds and mammals .

Figure 2. Photograph of erythema migrans on the epidermis, also known as bullâs eye rash. This may be characterized as an expansive skin rash that is indicative of the early signs of Lyme disease. The rash can spread up to 12 inches in diameter and is caused by the gradual radial movement of Borrelia burgdorferi, as the bacteria move outwardly from the site of the tick bite. File: Bullseye rash linked to Lyme disease from Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved 21:14, June 19, 2021, from .

Dont Miss: Low Dose Naltrexone And Lyme Disease

Read Also: Antimicrobial Herbs For Lyme Disease

Symptoms Of A Tick Bite

• A tick bite does not cause pain or itch. So, ticks may not be noticed for a few days.
• After feeding on blood, ticks get swollen and easier to see.
• Ticks fall off on their own after sucking blood for 3 to 6 days.
• After the tick comes off, a little red bump may be seen.
• The red bump or spot is the bodys response to the ticks saliva .
• While its sucking blood, some of its spit gets mixed in.

The Chance Of Getting Lyme Disease

Not all ticks in England carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

But it’s still important to be aware of ticks and to safely remove them as soon as possible, just in case.

Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.

SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/263611/view

Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that live in woods, areas with long grass, and sometimes in urban parks and gardens. They’re found all over the UK.

Ticks do not jump or fly. They attach to the skin of animals or humans that brush past them.

Once a tick bites into the skin, it feeds on blood for a few days before dropping off.

You May Like: Treatment For Late Stage Lyme Disease In Humans

What Types Of Ticks Are There

The four most common ticks in Australia are bush ticks, brown dog ticks, cattle ticks and paralysis ticks. They are brown in colour at first and have a bluish or grey colour once fully engorged. Bush ticks make up 90% of all ticks in New South Wales. Although all ticks can cause some skin irritation and an allergic reaction, the paralysis tick is the most dangerous tick in Australia.

This tick chart from Quakers Hill Veterinary Hospital can help you identify the various shapes and sizes of different types of ticks. Pop it on your fridge for a good reference point in case you ever need it.

Can A Person Contract Southern Lyme Disease From Lone Star Ticks

Lone star ticks do not transmit Lyme disease. However, they can spread tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and southern tick-associated rash illness .

As with Lyme disease, STARI causes a rash that appears similar to a bulls-eye. The rash typically appears within 7 days of being bitten by a lone star tick.

Unlike Lyme disease, STARI does not appear to have an association with arthritis, chronic symptoms, or neurological problems.

Healthcare professionals do not know which pathogen causes STARI.

Recommended Reading: Lyme Disease And Knee Pain

Racial Differences In Incidence

Lyme disease is reported primarily in whites, although it occurs in individuals of all races. No genetic explanation is known for this the disparity most likely stems from social or environmental factors and possibly to the fact that erythema migrans is more difficult to diagnose in dark-skinned individuals.

How Can You Tell You Have Lyme Disease

Most individuals don’t take insect bites seriously. Many people wait for the symptoms to worsen before seeking medical attention. Some situations may need serious treatment, but others may require immediate assessment from the doctor. Understanding the signs and symptoms of a particular disease is important because it will help to seek the right treatment at the appropriate time. It will also protect you from using the wrong approach to deal with the condition. How do you know you have contracted Lyme disease?

Read Also: What Dr Treats Lyme Disease

Which Ticks Should I Worry About

Nymphal ticks cause most cases of Lyme disease. Because nymphs are as small as poppy seeds and their bite is painless, people often dont realize they have been bitten. Adult ticks can also infect humans, but are easier to spot and remove.

Not all ticks are infected. Because tick studies have only been done in a relatively few places, in most of the US, tick infection rates are unknown. Even in places where ticks generally do not carry Lyme, there may be hotspots of infection depending on local conditions. The tick infection rate may also change from year to year, even in one location.

To get a better idea of which tick-borne diseases have been found in your area, check this site.

Can Lyme Disease Be Prevented Or Avoided

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid being bitten by ticks. When you are outdoors, follow these guidelines:

• Avoid areas that are wooded, brushy, or have tall grass.
• Walk in the center of trails.
• Use an insect repellent with at least 20% DEET. It can be put on clothing or sparingly on the skin. Dont apply it to the face or hands of children.
• Treat clothing, tents, or other gear with repellents containing 0.5% permethrin.
• Wear light-colored clothing. This makes it easier to see and remove ticks from your clothes.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots for added protection.

After you get home, check everything and everyone for ticks.

• Bathe or shower as soon as you can to wash off any ticks that have not attached to you.
• Check your entire body for ticks. Use a mirror for places you cant see. Check your children and your pets. Common tick locations include the back of the knees, groin area, underarms, ears, scalp, and the back of the neck.
• Check any gear you used, including coats, backpacks, or tents.

Tumble dry clothes or blankets on high heat in the dryer for 10 to 15 minutes. This should kill any ticks. If clothes are dirty, wash them in hot water and dry on high heat for 60 minutes.

Don’t Miss: Lyme Disease Specialist Hudson Valley Ny

How Is Lyme Disease Transmitted

Ticks usually live in woods or tall grasslands in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Ticks can become infected with Borrelia burgdorferi by feeding on infected wild animals, and then can spread the bacteria when they feed on blood from the host. Ticks cannot fly – they hang onto small bushes or tall grasses and are usually found close to the ground. They wait for an animal or person to pass near them and when the animal or person makes contact, the ticks attach themselves to the skin to feed.

In North America, Lyme disease is transmitted mainly by two species of ticks:

• Blacklegged tick , Ixodes scapularis.
• Western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus.

The Public Health Agency of Canada states that there no evidence that Lyme disease can spread from person-to-person. Pets, especially dogs, can get Lyme disease, but there is no evidence that pets can spread the infection directly to humans. They may, however, carry infected ticks into the home or yard which may increase the chance of transmission.

Which Ticks Do Not Carry Lyme Disease

The U.S. has tick species that do not carry B. burgdorferi. These are:

• lone star ticks
• American dog ticks
• brown dog ticks
• Rocky Mountain wood ticks

CDC , scientists have discovered very few cases of Lyme disease not originating from tick bites.

• Person-to-person: It is impossible to contract Lyme disease through person-to-person contact. This includes touching, kissing, or engaging in sexual activity with a person who has Lyme disease.
• Via childbirth during delivery or breastfeeding: Lyme disease does not transmit to a child via delivery or breastfeeding. However, it is possible for untreated Lyme disease to affect the placenta. In rare cases, this can cause Lyme disease in the placenta.
• Blood transfusions: There are no known cases of Lyme disease from blood transfusions. However, Lyme disease can survive in donated blood. For this reason, people with Lyme disease should avoid donating blood.
• From pets: There is no evidence that Lyme disease can spread directly from pets to humans. This includes cats and dogs. However, it is possible for pets to bring infected ticks into the home.
• Air, food, or water: There is no evidence that Lyme disease can spread through the air, food, or water.
• Bites from other bugs: There is no evidence that Lyme disease can spread through other bug bites. This includes flies, fleas, and mosquitos.

recommends taking the following precautions:

While outdoors, people should walk in the center of trails and avoid high grasses and shrubbery.

Don’t Miss: Lyme Academy College Of Fine Arts

What Is Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. This spiral shaped bacterium is most commonly spread by a tick bite. The disease takes its name from Lyme, Connecticut. This is where the illness was first identified in the United States in 1975.

Although Lyme disease is a year-round problem, April through October is considered tick season. Cases of Lyme disease have been reported in nearly all states in the U.S. and in large areas in Europe and Asia, but the most common areas are the Northeast, upper Midwest and northwestern states.

What’s The Best Way To Prevent A Tick Bite

Ticks can’t fly or jump. But they live in shrubs and bushes and can grab onto you when you pass by. To avoid getting bitten:

• Wear pants and socks in areas with lots of trees and when you touch fallen leaves.
• Wear a tick repellent on your skin and clothing that has DEET, lemon oil, or eucalyptus.
• For even more protection, use the chemical permethrin on clothing and camping gear.
• Shower within 2 hours after coming inside. Look for ticks on your skin, and wash ticks out of your hair.
• Put your clothing and any exposed gear into a hot dryer to kill whatever pests might be on them.

How do you know if you’ve been bitten?

Since ticks are so small, you’ve got to have pretty good eyes to see them.

If you have a small, red bump on your skin that looks like a mosquito bite, it could be a tick bite. If it goes away in a few days, itâs not a problem. Remember, a tick bite doesnât necessarily mean you have Lyme disease.

If you notice a rash in the shape of a bull’s-eye, you might have a tick bite. Talk to your doctor about treatment.

If you have an allergic reaction to ticks, you’ll notice a bite right away.

Also Check: Pizza Delivery Old Lyme Ct