Lyme Disease Remains a Threat to Children
by Maejoy Tutor in Diseases on Jul 05, 2011
Federal health officials enlightened the public that the lyme disease occurrences in the US has already tripled from 1992 to 2009, with children most at risk for the disease.
The affliction of lyme disease is known to be transmitted to people due to the bite of infected black-legged ticks. These ticks are most active during the months of May, June and July. In 2009, there were about 95% of reported cases from twelve states; this includes Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine and Delaware.
Estimates show that there are nearly 30,000 verified sufferers of lyme disease in 2009. With this figure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people to (1) avoid areas which appears to have high leaf and grass litter and go around in the center of the trails when hiking, (2) use repellent containing 20% or more DEET, especially on exposed skins, (3) use products containing permethrin that treats clothing and gear like boots and pants, and (4) execute a whole body tick check and use a handheld or full-length mirror so that you can view the segments of your entire body upon returning from tick-infested areas.
Moreover, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended parents to use repellents with 30% DEET for their children.
The CDC also suggested that if an individual has developed break outs immediately after being bitten by a tick or has spent reasonable time in tick-infested areas should immediately see a doctor. If lyme disease is untreated, it may spread to the individual’s joints, heart and nervous systems.
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Dr. Julia Greenspan wrote a great article on what the next steps are after a tick bite
Yeah, sure, go to a doctor after being bitten by a tick and showing a rash and ask for treatment and you will be ridiculed, and told “You don’t have lyme disease. That rash is ringworm”, or “You don’t have lyme disease, we don’t have ticks in this county.” or “No arthritis? You don’t have lyme disease.” or any of a handfull of rejoinders doctors use to get lyme patients out of their office so they don’t have to risk their medical license to diagnose and treat you. You’re better off having leprosy as far as the medical establishment is concerned.