Hunting and Lyme Disease Prevention

Hunting and Lyme Disease Prevention


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QUESTION:  I like to go deer hunting, but my wife says I can catch something
called Lyme disease from the deer.  Is this true?  Please explain and tell me
if there's a way to avoid it.

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ANSWER:  Lyme disease is spread by infected deer ticks.  It is a growing
problem, especially in the Northeastern part of our country.  Lyme disease is
serious, and it can lead to chronic arthritis, cardiac problems, and
neurological disorders.
     The organisms that cause the disease--called spirochetes--look like
wiggling corkscrews when under a microscope.  The disease was first observed
in 1975 in the village of Old Lyme, Connecticut, where the first cluster of
cases was discovered.
     The deer tick is much smaller than dog ticks.  When an infected deer tick
comes in contact with humans, the infecting wiggling organisms are spewed into
the victim's skin.
     Most people develop a round rash at the site of the bite.  Few people,
however, realize they have been bitten by the little pests, because you don't
often feel the bite.
     Scientists still don't know for sure how the spirochetes move from the
bite to the spinal chord, brain and other organs, where the damaging sickness
sets in.  Doctors believe that the body's protecting cells kill off some of
the invading bacteria.  It is theorized that the surviving bacteria travel
through the blood, cross the blood-brain barrier and damage parts of the body
that are normally well protected.
     The fact that the infection crosses the blood-brain barrier makes it more
difficult to fight.  Doctors have had success treating Lyme disease victims
with an antibiotic called ceftriaxone.  Injections of this potent drug do
cross the blood-brain barrier and it can, therefore, get to the same
hard-to-reach places as the damaging infection.
     A lot more research must be done in order for doctors to fully understand
this tricky disease.  Right now doctors aren't sure if any treatment fully
wipes the system clean of the invading spirochetes.
     If you go hunting and come in contact with deer, then you are naturally
at higher risk of being bitten by an infected tick, or bringing them into your
home on your clothing, shoes, hunting gear, etc.
     To help prevent tracking the ticks into your home, change out of your
hunting clothes before entering your house, if possible.  Then check your
garments, inch by inch, for the ticks.
     If you spot the insects, use tweezers or fine tipped forceps to grasp the
tick and dispose of it in a container where it can't escape.  Save it to show
your physician.  Use the same procedure to remove a tick from the skin.  Apply
an antiseptic immediately afterwards to prevent infection, and let your doctor
know you've come in contact with the deer tick.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.