 Lyme
Disease Exposure
By Jessica Erickson, AmeriCorps Naturalist
Along with summer comes an increasing amount of
outdoor activities. It is important to take precautions
against Lyme disease during these events. Lyme disease
is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite
of deer ticks. Deer ticks are usually less than
4 mm (1/4 inch) wide and orange-brown in color with
a black spot near the head. They are found on all
types of vegetation and animals, especially in the
woods.
The best precaution against deer ticks is to wear
long sleeves and pants and use an insect spray to
repel ticks. Always check thoroughly for ticks on
pets and clothing after completing outdoor activities.
If a tick is found remove it immediately by grasping
the tick's head as close to the skin as possible.
Burning or squeezing the tick may cause it to inject
fluid into you.
Symptoms of Lyme disease may include a ring-shaped
rash appearing within 4 - 20 days, fever, stiff
joints, headache, chills and fatigue. Contact your
doctor immediately if you think you have been infected
with Lyme disease. Lyme disease may be treated with
antibiotics if detected early. To receive a tick
identification card please send a self-addressed
stamped envelope to the JCCB Operations Center,
2048 Highway 6 NW, Oxford, Iowa 52322.
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