Risk For Lyme Disease Increases

ROCKY HILL — Spring and summer months bring an increased risk for Lyme disease because the tiny deer ticks that transmit the disease are more active. The Arthritis Foundation noted in the past month an increase in calls from people reporting tick bites.

The tick and its bite may go unnoticed because in the spring and summer it is very small, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence and 7 to 10 times larger when filled with blood. The foundation notes that families with deer in or near their back yards are at greater risk and need to take precautions. Precautions include avoiding tick habitats and checking for ticks on family members and pets. Ticks are more frequent in tall grasses, bushes, brush, and woods.

Early recognition and treatment of symptoms of Lyme disease are also important, according to the foundation. Early symptoms include flu-like symptoms or an expanding large red rash. Left untreated, Lyme disease most frequently causes a chronic arthritis that most often affects the knees. It can also cause problems with the nervous system and heart.

For a free brochure on Lyme disease, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 800/541-8350 or online at SNEngland@arthritis.org.