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Health & Fitness

Lyme Disease One of Four Tick-borne diseases that Plague New Englanders

EXETER – Everyone migrates outdoors as the warm summer weather approaches, but they do so with escalating odds of contracting Lyme disease and other lesser-known tick-borne illnesses that can also make them sick. Children who spend a lot of time playing in grassy areas or forested backyards are at particularly higher risk of getting tick bites. 

Robyn Giard and Krista Delaplane are naturopathic family physicians at Starry Brook Natural Medicine Exeter, N.H. Here they offer their expertise in diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. 

“Several different diseases can be contracted from ticks, including Babesiosis, Bartonellosis and Ehrlichiosis,” says Krista Delaplane, naturopathic pediatric specialist. “Lyme disease remains a concern, but the incidence of these other infections is on the rise in both adults and children. 

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“At our office, we have really noticed an uptick in cases of Lyme disease. We have seen several new cases of Lyme this season already, which is really early,” Delaplane says, “and we’re going to see more cases over the summer.” 

“Migrating deer are spreading Lyme disease,” Delaplane says, “bringing ticks back and forth all over the place. In fact, we’re seeing more ticks and infection across the country lately than we have in years.” Also implicated in spreading Lyme disease is increase in homes built in wooded areas; this puts families and children who live in rural areas at higher risk. 

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Using the most recent complete data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked New Hampshire third nationally in the number of Lyme disease cases reported per 100,000 people. Most New Hampshire cases are reported from Rockingham, Hillsborough and Strafford Counties, and in 2009, Rockingham County alone had 583 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease, the most in the state. 

Lyme disease is the most common “vector-borne” — that is, transmitted by insects or ticks — disease in the U.S., writes Alan Eaton, a University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension entomologist, in his February 2011 publication titled “Biology and Management of Ticks in New Hampshire.” Lyme disease’s vector is the blacklegged tick, also known as the “deer tick,” New Hampshire’s second most common tick species. 

Lyme disease symptoms frequently begin with a characteristic red zone rash around the site of the bite. It usually appears 3 to 30 days after being bitten by an infected tick and slowly expands in size, and then fades.  

The rash is often ring-shaped and warm to the touch. Fatigue, fever, headaches, stiffness, and muscle and joint pain often occur. Symptoms can appear from a few days to weeks after infection. If Lyme disease is left untreated, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, arthritis, and nervous system disorders can follow after several months to years after infection. Arthritis, joint pain and swelling are common symptoms, especially knees, in untreated cases months or years later. 

If you or someone in your family experiences these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. Most cases of Lyme disease are contracted in June and July, and treatment is most successful in the early stages. 

Ticks are often discovered after they have begun to feed. To remove a tick, use tweezers to firmly grasp it as close to its head as possible, and pull gently, using slow, steady pressure. Do not yank it or pull it sideways, since this could cause its head to break off inside the wound. 

“If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is extremely small,” Eaton says. “But just to be safe, monitor your health closely after a tick bite and be alert for any signs and symptoms of tick-borne illness.” 

“A lot of people are aware of Lyme, but they’re not as aware of Babesiosis, Bartonellosis and Ehrlichiosis,” says Dr. Delaplane. “These infections can have a devastating effect on people. It’s very important that when you go to get tested for Lyme disease that you ask to be tested for all tick-borne diseases, which are at epidemic levels.”  

Symptoms of Babesiosis range from mild to life threatening, including fever, fatigue, chills, sweats, headache, and more. Severe symptoms are more likely in people who have decreased immune system function, have had their spleen removed, and/or are elderly. Onset of symptoms is one to six weeks after the tick bite. 

“When we test in our office, we’re testing Lyme as well as other organisms to determine if someone has been infected by a tick-borne illness,” says Dr. Robyn Giard, owner of Starry Brook Natural Medicine. “Whenever I discuss diseases caused by tick bites, I like saying ‘tick-borne illness’ instead of ‘Lyme disease’ because we’ve had patients come in whose symptomatology really points to Babesiosis rather than Lyme. All tick-related diseases need to be tested. 

Bartonella can infect humans, mammals, and a wide range of wild animals, according to lymedisease.org. These bacteria can be carried by fleas, body lice, and ticks. Scientists suspect that ticks are a source of infection in some human cases of Bartonellosis. Some people who recall being bitten by ticks have been co-infected with both Lyme and Bartonella. 

Ehrlichiosis is the name for several animal and human diseases. Victims usually report flu-like symptoms — headache, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue — and sometimes gastro-intestinal symptoms or rash. Symptoms typically appear five to 10 days after being bitten by an infected tick. The lone star tick is the primary vector. Between 2003 and 2008, 15 cases of human Ehrlichiosis were reported in New Hampshire. 

But of course, the best bet to stay healthy is to avoid being bitten by a tick in the first place.  

“We always make sure that we talk with our patients about future prevention. One of my favorite things is pantyhose or leggings for men and women and children,” Giard says with a laugh — but in all seriousness. “If you’re going to go out and mow the lawn, throw on some pantyhose, which may be warm, but it is a great barrier to protect yourself from ticks because once you peel the panty hose off, you’re peeling off the tick.” 

Dr. Giard also cautions not to let the dog on the bed during summertime. Many dogs are treated with Frontline and other pesticides, and ticks will jump off the dog and onto people, the bed, or couch. People should change their sheets weekly, looking for any blood spots on them, and vacuum under couch cushions. 

Eaton advises to avoid tall grass and brushy areas, prime tick habitats. “If you do spend time in tick-infested areas, wear proper clothing. Wear good shoes — no sandals or bare feet — and long pants tucked into your socks. A long sleeved shirt with snug collar and cuffs will also offer protection, if it is tucked in at the waist. Light colored pants and shirts allow you to easily spot crawling ticks.”  

“Ticks tend to like dark, quiet places like the groin, buttocks, and hair,” Dr. Delaplane says. “So if you do go out for a hike, it’s important to have a friend or family member go through your hair, look on your back, on backs of your legs. Tick checks are very important and are the best prevention for avoiding tick-borne infections.” Use tick repellent and carefully read and follow label directions; treat socks, ankles, legs, and pants for added protection. 

Starry Brook Natural Medicine is a business partner of the Green Alliance, a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members. 

For more information about Starry Brook Natural Medicine, visit www.starrybrook.com.  And for the Green Alliance, visit www.greenalliance.biz.
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