As people spend more time outside this spring and in the summer ahead, Lyme disease can be a threat, depending on location. Here are smart tips to prevent infection for both humans and pets.
An infected tick can transmit the bacteria to a human or pet with just one bite if the tick feeds for at least 24 hours on its host, according to physicians and veterinarians. Prevention and early detection are critical in avoiding this disease as well as other tick related illnesses, they said."The first thing to do is remove the tick, and the sooner the better," said Andrew Handel, M.D.
If you're bitten by a tick and live in an area where Lyme disease is highly prevalent, a single prophylactic dose of doxycycline may be used to reduce the risk of developing Lyme disease, said the CDC. There are blood tests available to detect if you have Lyme disease. Yet Dr. Handel said that the timing of the test could make a difference when it comes to accuracy. , Lyme disease is diagnosed by measuring antibodies produced in response to the infection," he said."This immune response takes time to develop, so results are often negative in the first month after the tick bite. After that time, the test becomes very reliable.
He added,"Stony Brook Children's Hospital is serving as a study site for the pediatric study. We are hopeful that the vaccine will prove effective and safe and will be available for routine use in the near future."Also,"when going on hikes, make sure to wear pants tucked into your socks, apply insect repellant, and perform a thorough tick check soon after your adventure," Handel suggested.
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