What You Need To Know about Lyme Disease Transcript

Lyme disease is spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Tick bites can occur year-round, but the ticks that spread Lyme disease are most active in late Spring. More than 9 out of 10 Lyme disease cases occur in the upper Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, and New England states. Symptoms can include: Fever/chills, Headache, Fatigue, Muscle and joint aches, Large expanding rash.

Lyme disease should always be treated with antibiotics. Without treatment, infection can spread to large joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Protect yourself: Stay on trails while hiking. Avoid brushy areas with tall grass. Treat your pets for ticks with veterinarian-recommended products.

Before you go outdoors: Treat clothing and gear with .05% permethrin. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent. After you come indoors: Check your body, clothing, gear, and pets for ticks. Remove them promptly and carefully. Shower within 2 hours. Protect you and your family from tick bites when enjoying the great outdoors! To learn more, visit cdc.gov/lyme 

If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

There are ways to protect yourself:
Use insect repellent.
Remove ticks promptly and carefully.
Apply pesticides to tick habitats

So, protect yourself and take the worry out of the great outdoors!

To learn more, go to cdc.gov

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