WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing
An infected blacklegged tick the size of a poppy seed is responsible for the transmission of Lyme Disease. The tick attaches to a human or animal and injects harmful bacteria. It may take 36 to 48 hours of attachment to become infected.
Symptoms of infection include fever, headache, and fatigue. In 70% of cases, a rash shaped like a bull's eye will appear.
To prevent infection, avoid grassy areas frequented by deer, use insect repellent with DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, and check yourself daily for ticks. Pets should receive a yearly Lyme Disease vaccine and wear a tick collar. If you’re bitten by a tick or have symptoms, seek medical treatment. If possible, save the tick and take it with you.
For more information, visit cdc.gov.
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