Is Lyme disease prevalent in Pennsylvania?
CDC estimates that number of Lyme cases is about ten times the reported number. This means that Pennsylvania may have around 100,000 cases a year. That is about 1 case for every 100 people in Pennsylvania every year.
What percentage of ticks in Pa carry Lyme disease?
On average, Lyme disease is detected in 37% of Pennsylvania’s ticks and can spike as high as 67% in some counties.
Do ticks in Pennsylvania carry Lyme disease?
Significance. Lyme disease can cause mild to severe illness in humans. It is common in Pennsylvania, particularly in areas where the Ixodes (black-legged ticks or deer ticks) are abundant. If left untreated, the illness can progress to serious conditions involving the joints, heart, and nervous system.
What counties in PA have deer tick virus?
Deer tick virus was present in more than 80% of tick samples taken recently from three sites: Lawrence Township Recreational Park in Clearfield County, Fisherman’s Paradise fishing area in Centre County, and the Iroquois Trail near Tunkhannock on Wyoming County, according to officials from the state’s Department of …
Should I be worried if I have Lyme disease?
In the best cases you will have headed off trouble — but if you notice any symptoms of the disease (a rash, headache, stiff neck, fever, muscle aches, and general tiredness), call your doctor immediately. And don’t despair if your child is diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Can Lyme disease be prevented?
Wear long-sleeved shirts and closed shoes when in tick infested areas. Use insect repellent to significantly reduce the chance of tick bites and the transmission of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. DEET is the primary active ingredient in most tick repellents and is considered the most effective.
Can a person have Lyme disease for years and not know it?
Symptoms may develop quickly or not until many months or years later as the spirochete can evade the immune response and remain dormant in the human host for long periods. Some patients do not experience any symptoms after the bite of a tick that carries the bacterial agent of Lyme disease.
Should I go to ER for tick bite?
It is important to seek medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms following a tick bite: A red bull’s-eye in the area surrounding the bite. Erythema migrans rashes, even away from the tick bite site, in the period of over several weeks following a known tick bite or a possible tick exposure.
How long after removing a tick can you get Lyme disease?
Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted.
What happens if Lyme goes untreated?
What happens if Lyme disease is untreated? Left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to joints and organs, causing significant damage. Arthritis, heart disease, and nervous system problems are common complications of untreated Lyme disease.