Pest Borne Diseases: Lyme Disease

February 25, 2019


Lyme disease is a potentially debilitating disease that is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the black-legged tick bites. This disease causes flu-like symptoms and if left untreated, can cause severe deterioration of one’s motor and cognitive skills.

In North Carolina, July is the peak month of Lyme disease, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.  The increase in Lyme disease cases came about due to the increase in deer tick population, or what is more commonly called the black-legged ticks. In 2015, black-legged ticks were found in 60 North Carolina states, double from the 1996 data. Simply put, Lyme disease is now a major problem for North Carolina and full attention should be given to it by the health authorities.

Signs, Symptoms, And Treatment Of Lyme Disease

The symptoms depend on the stage of infection. If Lyme disease is left untreated, it can problems can lead the joints, heart, and the nervous system.

For the first 30 days after the tick bite, the symptoms are fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and Erythema migraines rash.

Later signs of the Lyme disease are severe headaches and neck stiffness, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, facial palsy, additional Erythema migraines rash on different parts of the body, irregular heartbeat, occasional dizziness and shortness of breath, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

You may request your health care provider for a laboratory blood test. If used properly, this could help in detecting Lyme disease.

If detected early on, Lyme disease may be treated by taking antibiotics. Doxycycline, amoxicillin, and cefuroxime axetil may be recommended. For Lyme diseases that are detected in its late stages, doctors may recommend different types of treatment and will depend on the person’s age, medical history, allergies, etc.

Prevention

As we always say, prevention will always be better than cure. If the transmitter of this disease is the black-legged tick, then we should get rid of it. Here are some tips on how to get rid of these ticks:

1. First, we should know how to identify them. Black-legged ticks are 3 mm in length and dark brown or black in color and they do not have eyes.  

2. After an outdoor activity, check your clothing and shower at once. The ticks can find a way to hitchhike.

3. Do a self-check on your skin if you suspect ticks came in with you. If you do find ticks, use a tweezer to pull them out.

4. Do some cleaning both indoor and outdoor. Ticks love dry, warm environment, so it will be wise to check areas near heaters during the cold months. They also like the spaces around your doors and windows, under and behind your furniture, and under the seams of your couch. Outdoor, trim bushes on your yard and keep your grass short.

If tick infestation has become too much of a problem for you and your family, then call in the best in pest control in all of North Carolina. Go - Forth Pest Control Company has a team of well trained and highly skilled professional who utilize state-of-the-art equipment.

Say goodbye to your tick problems.  Contact us today to see what we can do for you!




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