Category: Lyme Disease

Is there more than one way to contract Lyme disease?

Are there many ways to get Lyme disease?

Theoretically, there is more than one way to become infected with Lyme disease. But is it likely for you to contract Lyme infection through any other means than the bite of an infected tick?

Is there more than one way to contract Lyme disease?
Is there more than one way to contract Lyme disease?

Can you be infected with Lyme disease via blood transfusion?

The CDC says that even though it has been found that the bacteria that cause Lyme infection can live in stored blood, no cases have been confirmed in this manner.

Can you be infected from kissing another person or your pet?

According to the CDC, there is zero evidence that kissing another person will expose us to Lyme infection. It is also not possible to contract Lyme infection through your pet’s saliva.

Can you get Lyme disease from kissing?
Can you get Lyme disease from kissing?

Can a mother pass Lyme infection to her unborn fetus?

Experts believe, while is it possible, it is highly unlikely for a mother to pass this disease to her unborn fetus. What’s more, if a mother becomes infected while pregnant, she can receive antibiotics without adverse effects on the fetus.

Can pregnant moms pass Lyme to their unborn fetus?
Can pregnant moms pass Lyme to their unborn fetus?

Who’s at greater risk for Lyme disease infection?

While anyone can contract Lyme disease, some of us are more prone to infection. Children and pets are at higher risk, because they are closer to the ground than adults. Pets even more so because they venture into places, where ticks hide. Fur can obscure a tick on your pet, thereby making them at greater risk to have a tick attach to their body without us knowing. Others, who are at high risk of tick bites are nature-seekers, such as campers and hikers. Additionally, those, who work outdoors are at greater risk of infection. This is simply because they are at greater risk of encountering a tick on a typical day.

Lyme Disease Prevention Through Tick Control & Prevention

Preventing Lyme disease primarily involves minimizing exposure to ticks. This includes using repellents and wearing long sleeves and pants in high-risk areas. It also involves conducting tick checks after outdoor activities. Early detection and prompt treatment can effectively manage Lyme disease, and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Also read: Does Lyme disease have a season?

 

Can you get diseases from dog saliva?

Dogs can contract diseases, but can they pass them to their owners through their saliva?

While dogs are our beloved companions, it’s important to be aware that their saliva can potentially transmit diseases to humans. While the risk is relatively low, it’s essential to understand these potential health concerns associated with dog saliva.

What diseases can you get from dog saliva?
What diseases can you get from dog saliva?
  1. Rabies: Perhaps the most well-known disease transmitted through saliva is rabies. This a viral infection affects the central nervous system. Dogs can contract rabies and transmit it through bites, but it can also be present in their saliva. This is why rabies vaccination for dogs is mandatory in many regions.
  2. Capnocytophaga canimorsus: This bacterium is commonly found in the mouths of dogs. While infections are rare, they can be severe, particularly for people with weakened immune systems. It can lead to symptoms like fever, diarrhea, and in severe cases, sepsis.
  3. Pasteurella: This bacterium is found in the mouths of many dogs. When a dog bites or licks a human, it can introduce Pasteurella into the skin, leading to painful and potentially serious infections, including cellulitis and abscesses.
  4. Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can be transmitted through contact with contaminated water or soil. While it’s not typically associated with dog saliva, dogs can carry and shed the bacteria in their saliva. Leptospirosis can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and can be severe if left untreated. Lepto vaccinations are available, and often recommended by vets.
  5. Staphylococcus: Staphylococcus bacteria, including MRSA, can be found in dog saliva. While it’s rare, infection can occur if these bacteria enter cuts, scrapes, or open wounds, leading to skin and soft tissue infections.
  6. Ringworm: Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm but by a fungus. Dogs can carry and transmit this fungus through saliva or skin contact. It can result in itchy, circular rashes on the skin.
  7. E. coli and Salmonella: Dogs can carry these bacteria in their mouths, and transmission can occur when an infected dog licks a person’s face or hands. While it’s relatively uncommon, these bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal illness in humans.

It’s important to note that the risk of contracting diseases from dog saliva is relatively low. Many people live with dogs without ever experiencing health issues related to their pets’ saliva. However, certain individuals are more vulnerable. This includes those with compromised immune systems, young children, and the elderly.

How to prevent disease transmission through dog saliva.

  1. Maintain good hygiene: Regular handwashing and keeping cuts or wounds clean can help prevent potential infections.
  2. Vaccination: Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially for rabies.
  3. Regular vet check-ups: Regular veterinary care can help keep your dog healthy and reduce the risk of harmful bacteria or parasites.
  4. Train your dog: Teaching your dog good behavior and bite inhibition can reduce the risk of bites.
  5. Supervise interactions: Be cautious with interactions between your dog and vulnerable individuals, especially young children.

While the risk of contracting diseases from dog saliva is generally low, it’s essential to be aware of potential health concerns and take appropriate precautions. Responsible pet ownership, proper veterinary care, and good hygiene practices can help mitigate these risks.

Also read: Can dogs get Lyme disease?

How do I know if my dog has Lyme disease?

There are many signs that your dog has Lyme disease — and you need to respond to them accordingly.

Fever, loss of appetite, and swollen joints are common signs that your dog has Lyme disease. If you notice your dog has any of these issues or displays other signs of illness, consult with a veterinarian. When you do, your veterinarian can perform tests to determine if your pet is dealing with Lyme disease or another illness. If your vet finds your dog has Lyme disease, you can get help to treat this issue before it gets out of hand.

Lyme Disease

What are the long-term symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs?

Lyme disease that goes untreated can cause your dog to experience damage to their kidneys, nervous system, and heart. In some instances, dogs with Lyme disease experience facial paralysis and seizures. The disease can cause a dog’s heart rate to escalate. In the worst-case scenario, Lyme disease that goes unaddressed can be fatal.

How does a dog get Lyme disease?

Ticks transmit Lyme disease to dogs and other animals. For instance, a tick carrying the disease can climb onto a dog’s body at any time. The dog may have no idea the tick is on its body, and the tick will bite the dog and feed off its blood. Meanwhile, the tick can infect the dog with Lyme disease. The tick may remain on the dog for an extended period of time or find another host. Regardless, the dog can be infected with Lyme disease, which can cause it to experience long-term health problems.

Can cats get Lyme disease?

Research suggests cats may be able to get Lyme disease, but the disease has not been discovered in a cat to date. However, ticks can still climb onto the coat of a cat, get close to its skin, and feed off of it. They tend to bite cats on the neck, ears, feet, and head. Thus, if you have a cat, you should keep a close eye out for ticks on it. If you don’t, the tick may continue to feed off your cat long into the future.

What is the best tick control option for dogs?

Tick prevention products are available for dogs. These products are designed to keep ticks from getting on your dog or kill ticks. Some tick prevention products consist of medication that you give your pet monthly. Others are applied topically to your dog’s skin. Along with using tick prevention products, you can check your dog frequently for ticks. You can do so as soon as your dog comes indoors from a wooded area or any other space where ticks may be present. Look around your dog’s ears, face, and across the body and remove any ticks immediately.

How can I prevent ticks from reaching my dog at home?

A tick control company can offer tips and recommendations to help you keep ticks outside your home. The company’s technicians can assess your home and see if there are any areas where ticks can populate. Next, the technicians can apply a treatment to limit the tick population on your property. They can complete ongoing treatments to help you combat ticks moving forward.

Also read: Can you get Lyme disease in the winter?

What animals are responsible for the rise in Lyme disease?

Animal overpopulation of any type can have adverse effects on human existence.

The overabundance of black-legged ticks is one such detriment to human and animal life.  But have you ever considered what animals cause more black-legged ticks?  Perhaps that is not even the most important factor to consider.

What animals cause more Lyme disease infections?
What animals cause more Lyme disease infections?

What animal results in a larger number of Lyme-infected ticks?

I have spoken about this critter before.  The quiet and unassuming character that is responsible for Lyme infected ticks is the white-footed mouse.  Why is this mouse so integral in the spread of Lyme disease?  They are natural carriers of the bacteria that cause Lyme infection.  Not only that, but it is reported that up to 90% of them carry these bacteria.  Their place in nature, on forest floors and woodland spaces, make them prime candidates for larval ticks to latch onto.  Once that happens, larval ticks become nymphs, which are the biggest spreaders of Lyme infection to humans and their pets.

White footed mouse is responsible for increases in Lyme disease.
The white-footed mouse is responsible for increases in Lyme disease.

Do more of these mice result in an increase in Lyme disease cases? Unlike the overpopulation of deer, which can result in more ticks, but not necessarily more cases of Lyme disease, these mice can be directly responsible for an increase in cases.

Also read: How many ways can you get Lyme disease?

Which other animals can be responsible for more Lyme cases?

Having too few, rather than too many, rodent predators can indirectly affect Lyme disease cases.  Fewer foxes have resulted in more Lyme-infected mice running around your home or outdoor areas that you frequent.  This decrease in small prey predators is directly affected by an increase in coyotes across the United States and Canada.  The increase in these dastardly fox killers is a direct result of the elimination of larger game, such as bears and wolves.

Tick control is one answer to increases in Lyme disease.

While we do not all hold the power for decreasing or increasing the predators or prey required to decrease Lyme disease cases, we do have some power in the matter.  By employing professional tick control methods, available throughout Central Massachusetts, we can help prevent the spread of Lyme infection.  This is not to say that every tick eliminated through these efforts will be a carrier of Lyme bacteria, but the fewer ticks you encounter, the less likely you are to contract any tick-borne infection.  The best part is, you can maintain this protection all throughout the year, and help interrupt the life cycle of droves of ticks that live around your home.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Also read: Is dear overpopulation responsible for more deer ticks?

 

Why might Lyme disease never go away?

Find Out Why Lyme Disease Might Not Ever Go Away

Lyme disease is a curable ailment. In fact, if caught in the early stages, it can be cured within a few weeks’ time. Even so, Lyme infection can result in a chronic condition. Not everyone afflicted with Lyme disease will be cured.

Lyme disease might never go away
Lyme infection can result in a chronic condition.

Why Lyme Disease Might Not Ever Go Away

There are millions of people who have been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. However, there is no way of knowing how many people today are carriers, who never got sick. This is because many people never show symptoms of the infection in the first place. A study conducted by the CDC found that only 33% of infected people reported experiencing a single symptom.

Also read: Does Lyme disease have a season?

Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease

  • A red bull’s eye rash that expands and fades after a few weeks.
  • A flu-like headache.
  • A fever that can feel like a mild infection.
  • A swollen and migratory joint pain.
  • Tingling and numbness in the hands, feet and/or other parts of the body.
  • Fatigue and memory loss.

Treating Lyme disease: What to do

  • People with early-stage Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.
  • People who experience persistent symptoms after antibiotic treatment can be treated again.
  • People who experience long-term symptoms, such as fatigue or joint pain, should seek medical help right away.

Tick control is key to Lyme disease prevention

Avoiding ticks is the best way to avoid contracting any tick-borne illness.  At home, professional tick control through periodic barrier protection sprays, will help you avoid ticks.

  • Prevent ticks from attaching to your skin by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing.
  • Inspect your body for ticks after being outdoors, and remove them as soon as you see them.
  • Keep your yard mowed so that ticks have fewer places to hide.
  • Prevent mice and other rodents from entering your home.
  • Prevent your pets from bringing in ticks.

What to do if you’re bitten by a tick

  • Remove the tick as soon as possible.
  • Wash the bite area with soap and water.
  • Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen, such as a fever, joint pain, rash, or severe fatigue.
Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Also read: How many ways can you get Lyme disease?

Unspoken Truths About Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is purported to have claimed a life and it’s not how you might think.

Is Lyme disease fatal?  Last week, a parent in Canada spoke about his daughter’s death.  After suffering for years with what was originally un-diagnosed Lyme disease, Amelie Champagne took her own life.  Her father says that Amelie’s eventual positive Lyme diagnosis came too late, as the disease had ravaged her body and mind.  He credits the severe impact on Amelie’s brain resulted in her suicide at the age of 22.

Is Lyme disease fatal?
Is Lyme disease fatal if it causes a person to take their own life?

Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed and not diagnosed at all.

As we well know, Lyme disease can result in maladies of the body and mind.  Well-known cases, such as those of Kris Kristofferson and Justin Bieber shone a light on the condition.  Mr. Kristofferson suffered for more than a decade with undiagnosed Lyme disease, and was misdiagnosed with Fibromyalgia and dementia.  Joint pain and degradation of mental capacity are both Lyme symptoms.  Justin, also a Canadian, released a statement in 2020, in which he said that Lyme had negatively affected his, “brain function, energy, and overall health.”

Is Lyme disease fatal if it is the cause for suffering that results in suicide?

Lyme disease is fatal if it affects someone’s body and brain so negatively that it leads to them taking their own life.  Even though the infection does not kill, the effects of the disease surely take their toll.  And while there is a growing awareness of Lyme disease, this is a case of the quiet parts being said aloud.  More awareness about the effects of the infection must be made.  Sadly, Lyme disease is treatable when it is diagnosed early.  For a variety of reasons, the CDC believes that there are up to 10 times more cases of Lyme in the United States that what is actually documented.

Also read: Can cats get Lyme disease from a tick?

Lyme disease can happen any time of year.

If you have been outdoors and have knowingly or unknowingly encountered a deer tick, you are at risk for Lyme infection.  The risk is not relegated only to the springtime and summer.  While nymph ticks are busying about in search of their blood meals in the springtime, adult ticks are equally as active in the fall.  What’s more, if the temperatures are steadily above 45 degrees in the winter, ticks can quest for blood.  Therefore, we must keep check on ourselves, our kids, and our pets after being outdoors any warm day – in any season.

tick control tubesTick protection and control tips:

  1. Wear long sleeves and pants outdoors
  2. Perform a full-body tick check after being outdoors
  3. Wear clothing treated with permethrin when hiking or camping
  4. Call on the experts for Grafton tick control to protect your property all year long

 

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Also read:
Is Lyme disease an epidemic in Massachusetts?

Lyme Disease Vaccine Update, Fall 2022

Lyme disease vaccine trials are ongoing in the fall of 2022.

What is the latest news on the Lyme disease vaccine? Jane Caffrey reports that there are new steps in the fight against Lyme disease. Both Pfizer and Valneva are conducting a clinical trial for a Lyme Disease vaccine, and it is now in phase three.

Lyme disease vaccine trials still underway
Lyme disease vaccine trials still underway.

Where are these Lyme disease vaccine trials?

Research is happening in neighboring Connecticut, at Stamford Health in Fairfield County. About 6,000 people across the globe are taking part in the study, and that includes 20 at Stamford Hospital.

“Last year, my 7-year-old actually got Lyme disease,” Zain Hoda explained. A side effect known as Lyme arthritis sent their son Reza to the hospital. “We have two kids and my wife had to stay home with one of them,” Zain Hoda said. “So it was just me in the hospital with my son for five days.”

It was a very traumatic experience for the young boy because he had to have surgery after his knee got infected. So by participating in the vaccine trial, the family wants to prevent something like this from happening again or to someone else. This is why they will be rolling up their sleeves for the next two-and-a-half years, taking part in the global clinical trial being conducted in places where Lyme disease is highly endemic, like Connecticut.

Read: Why is Lyme disease on the rise?

Dr. Michael Parry, chair of Infectious Diseases at Stamford Health, said, “When it becomes late in the course and hasn’t been aggressively treated upfront, Lyme Disease can produce all sorts of problems including:

  • Neurological Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Prolonged Fatigue
  • Brain Fog”

As for how the Lyme Disease vaccine trial regimen works, each participant will receive four doses over the next 30 months. Some will get the new vaccine, while others will receive a placebo. “We will be following them with history, clinical symptoms, evidence of Lyme disease, blood tests, to evaluate how well this vaccine protects them against Lyme disease,” Dr. Parry said.

How long might a Lyme disease vaccine take to be approved?

He says if the clinical trial is successful, the timeline for when regulators would look at approving the vaccine would be in 2026 or 2027. “If a vaccine is 80 to 90 percent protective, it still would be a huge advance in the prevention of Lyme disease,” Dr. Parry said.

Researchers at Stamford Hospital are still seeking more pediatric participants, so they can gather enough data about how this vaccine works for kids. Participants for this study must be at least 5 years old.

For more information, the office of Dr. Parry can be reached at Stamford Health Medical Group, 29 Hospital Plaza, Suite 605, Stamford, CT 06902.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Also read: Why do ticks suck blood?

What does a tick bite look like?

Maybe you have encountered ticks, but have not been bitten.

What does a tick bite look like?  Do all tick bites result in disease?  Most people, who receive a tick bite will note a small amount of redness after the tick is removed.  If that redness spreads, becomes hot to the touch, or begins to take on a bulls-eye appearance, seek immediate medical attention.  You could have a skin infection, Lyme disease, or something much worse.

Tick bites can look like this.
Tick bites can look like this.

How do ticks bite?

Like mosquitoes, ticks bite by sinking their mouthparts into your skin.  While a mosquito bites quickly to get her blood meal, a tick will latch on until it becomes engorged and falls off.  Black-legged ticks must maintain attachment for 24 to 48 hours in order to pass Lyme infection.  The same tick must only be attached for 15 minutes in order to transmit the potentially deadly Powassan virus.  Actually, the tick doesn’t even have to make a full attachment.  So, if you find a tick attached to your skin, it does not have to become engorged to make you sick.

How do ticks bite?
How do ticks bite?

Should I receive treatment for my tick bite?

Depending on the medical diagnosis you receive, your tick bite could be treated.  If you are experiencing only a minor skin infection from your tick bite, you might be treated with an antibiotic cream or an oral medication.  If you have a bulls-eye rash that indicates Lyme infection, your doctor will treat you with doxycycline.

What does a tick bite look like?
This could mean Lyme infection – seek medical attention for your tick bite.

If the redness you are seeing develops into symptoms that indicate Powassan infection, your doctor will not have a direct treatment for your condition.  At the time of this writing, Powassan is medically addressed by treating symptoms.  These include vomiting, fever, and headache, but can also become sever.  Symptoms, such as tremors, seizures, high fever, and paralysis could indicate that you are suffering encephalitis, which is treated in the hospital.

Also read: Why is Lyme disease on the rise?

What is better than never finding out, “What does a tick bite look like?”

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Not being bitten in the first place.  Be sure that you are protected with tick repellent clothing when hiking or camping.  At home, entrust your tick protection to a professional tick control company.

Also read: Can you feel a tick bite?

Ticks Are Everywhere in Central Mass and They’re Out for Blood

Tick bites can be harmless, or they can infect you with diseases like Lyme disease or spotted fever.

Even though not all ticks carry infection, it’s best to try to prevent tick bites or to find them early. You would be best advised to take preventive action all year long with the one-two punch for Shrewsbury tick control.

Deer ticks are all around you!
Deer ticks are all around, looking for blood.

Many of us may have thought they die off in the winter after the first hard frost. Unfortunately, they do not. The adult black-legged deer tick, which spreads Lyme disease begins its prime feeding activity just about the time of the first freeze. The reason being is that their main host animals are deer and deer are actively moving around in the fall. If deer aren’t around, black-legged ticks will attach to people or pets anytime the weather starts getting warmer.

Exactly What Are Ticks?

Ticks are parasites that feed on warm-blooded hosts by biting them. A tick bite can infect humans and animals with bacteria, viruses and protozoans (organisms made up of one cell) that can cause diseases.

Some of these tick-borne illnesses can be very serious and may include:

  • Lyme disease
  • Tularemia
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Anaplasmosis
  • Babesiosis

Other conditions spread by ticks include:

  • Colorado tick fever
  • Powassan virus
  • Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)
  • Tick paralysis
  • Spotted fever
  • Relapsing fever
  • Heartland virus

Also read: How can I protect my dog from Lyme disease?

Why Are Ticks Such A Problem In Shrewsbury?

The biggest reason? They are so small. Ticks are typically small and difficult to see until they have been attached for some time. They feed on your blood and become larger and easier to see.

Tick species most commonly found here include:

  1. American Dog Tick: This varmint will attach to animals including dogs, cattle, deer, raccoons and humans if given the chance.
  2. Brown Dog Tick: These invasive pests usually attach to dogs, occasionally feeding on people and domestic cats.
  3. Black Legged Deer Ticks: These harbingers of dread attach primarily on deer, cattle and other large animals and people. Deer Ticks are carriers of Lyme Disease transmitting it through bites. And if for no other reason than this alone, Shrewsbury tick control is an extremely smart way to protect yourself and your property.

Also read: Can you get Lyme disease in the winter?

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

 

 

 

What is Lyme Disease and Should I be Concerned?

Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in Central Mass and the United States.

However, everyone is not so familiar with what Lyme infection actually is. Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria carried by young deer ticks. If one bites you, you can get Lyme disease. Ticks can bite you anywhere on your body, but they usually bite in hard-to-see parts of your body such as the groin, scalp, and armpits. The ticks that cause Lyme disease are tiny, as small as a speck of dirt. So you may not even know you have been bitten.

What is Lyme infection?
What is Lyme infection?

If left untreated, Lyme infection can cause serious health problems affecting your joints, heart, and nervous system. But if diagnosed early, most cases of Lyme disease can be cured after a few weeks of treatment with antibiotics.

What Signs Do I Need To Watch For To Determine If I Need A Test For Lyme Disease?

You may need a Lyme disease test if you have symptoms of infection. The first symptoms of Lyme disease usually show up between three and 30 days after the tick bite.

They may include:

  • A distinctive skin rash that looks like a bull’s-eye (a red ring with a clear center)
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches

You may also need a Lyme disease test if you don’t have symptoms, but are at risk for infection. You may be at a higher risk if you:

  • Recently removed a tick from your body
  • Walked in a heavily wooded area, where ticks live, without covering exposed skin or wearing repellent
  • Have done either of the above activities and live in or have recently visited the northeast or Midwestern areas of the United States, where most Lyme disease cases occur

Lyme disease in Central Massachusetts is most treatable in its early stages, but you may still benefit from testing later on. Symptoms that can show up weeks or months after the tick bite may include:

  • Severe headache
  • Neck stiffness
  • Severe joint pain and swelling
  • Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Memory and sleep disorders

What Does Getting Tested For Lyme Infection Entail?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

If your health care provider thinks you have Lyme disease, he or she will prescribe antibiotic treatment. Most people who are treated with antibiotics in the early stage of this disease recover.

Reduce Your Chances Of Getting Lyme Disease with These Precautions

  1. Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
    Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

    Avoid walking in wooded areas with high grass.

  2. Walk in the center of trails.
  3. Wear long pants and tuck them into your boots or socks.
  4. Apply an insect repellent containing DEET to your skin and clothing.
  5. At home, enlist professional Acton tick control providers to treat the areas around your exterior perimeter where ticks are most likely to dwell.

Also read: Does Lyme disease have a season?