Lyme Disease

1. Lyme Disease

2. Old Lyme, Connecticut.
1975

3. Lyme disease was
discovered by Willy
Burgdorfer

4. Nymph Tick Adult Tick

5. Around the time of the summer solstice (June-July) one can find
a high concentration of ticks in wooded, grassy and moist areas.

6. • 1st. feed on infected small animal.
• The larva then molts into a nymph
• 2nd feed, infected nymph infects new host
• The nymph then molts to adult
• 3rd feed infected adult feeds on deer or other host

7. Bulls - Eye Rash
Common sign but only
occurs in 50-60% of Lyme
cases.

8. Spirochete Bacteria
Can disguise itself as hosts own cells
acting as a bacterial chameleon.

9. Symptoms of Lyme Infection
Flu - like symptoms
• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Rash at site of tick bite
• Hearing loss
• Swollen and painful joints
• Complications with the heart (fast and or slow heart beat)
• Psychological Complications (chronic depression and dementia)

10. Treatment
Drugs: Doxycycline w/in 72
hours of bite.
Diet: Anti-Inflammatory
Foods.

11. Protection
1.Walk in the middle of the trail
2. Wear a long sleeve shirt
3. Wear light/white clothing to make it easier to see tick.
4. Wear a hat
5. Spray tick repellent on clothes and shoes before
entering woods.
6. Wear long pants tucked into high socks.
7. Wear shoes, no bare feet or sandals.

12. References
MA Department of Public Health (2017). Ticks, prevent lyme disease - keep ticks
away! Images captured from, http://www.lexingtonma.gov/public-health/pages/
ticks
Pexels (2017). Images captured from, https://www.pexels.com/faq/