Even if you’re not a hiker, if you spend any time outdoors, you need to be aware of the potential to pick up hitchhikers in the form of tiny ticks. More than being just an occasional annoyance, some ticks carry diseases that can have a long-lasting effect on men and women alike.
Today, Marla Ahlgrimm examines how the deer tick, one of the most common in the US, may pass along bacteria that can have serious health consequences.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. It affects people of all ages and is most commonly spread by deer ticks.
Transmission
According to Marla Ahlgrimm, Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites. However, don’t fret, as the disease is typically only a concern for humans who have been fed on for days at a time. Lyme disease is not contagious and can’t be spread from person to person.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Lyme disease vary from person to person and change throughout the disease's stages. Marla Ahlgrimm says the early stages of Lyme disease are typified by a bull's-eye rash at the site of the bite. Although not everyone gets this, it is a telltale sign of the disease's early manifestation. Fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches are also common. Many people are mistakenly diagnosed with the flu when they have Lyme disease.
As the disease progresses, the bacteria can spread throughout the body. Lyme disease can majorly impact the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Differences In Women
While Lyme disease affects people of all genders and ages, Marla Ahlgrimm says that there are some possible differences in the course of the disease in women. First, she says that women may be more likely to experience a rash that does not fall into the classic bull’s-eye appearance. Further, some women may have a stronger inflammatory response, leaving them with excessive fatigue and muscle aches. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that women are also more likely to report joint pain, numbness, vision changes, and anxiety.
Untreated Lyme disease during pregnancy can also potentially harm a fetus. Fortunately, this is rare and may be prevented with an antibiotic treatment. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should let their doctor know they have Lyme disease as soon as possible.
Treatment And Prevention
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Lyme disease prevention means being diligent about checking your body for parasites after spending time outdoors. Make sure to remove ticks quickly and properly. Marla Ahlgrimm also recommends using an insect repellent each time you’re outdoors.
Untreated Lyme disease can lead to chronic Lyme syndrome, which might mimic fibromyalgia or even dementia. However, Marla Ahlgrimm stresses the importance of removing ticks as soon as possible to significantly reduce the spread of the disease.
