Ottawa Valley Spring/Summer 2017
- In Ontario, Lyme disease is only transmitted through the blacklegged tick.
- Since 1990, Eastern Ontario has seen an increase in blacklegged tick populations (yellow map areas).
Symptoms
- Symptoms of Lyme disease usually begin between three days and one month after being bitten by an infected tick.
- Early symptoms of Lyme disease may include; fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and a red “bull’s eye” rash.
A rash is NOT always present.
Prevention
- Avoid tick bites by using insect repellent when outdoors
- Wear long sleeved tops and long pants when in wooded areas
- Remove ticks from the body as soon as possible
- Removing tick habitats from around the home (keep wild grasses and trees trimmed back)
- Remember to check your pets!
When to see your doctor or nurse practitioner
Public health is now recommending a SINGLE dose of antibiotic medication if:
- A blacklegged tick was attached for > 24hrs OR was removed < 72 hrs ago
- The tick appeared swollen (“engorged”) when it was removed
- You are not pregnant
- You are over 8 years of age
Whether you receive antibiotics or not, you should monitor for symptoms of Lyme for 30 days if you suspect you have been bitten by a tick.
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