May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a time to spread information on how to prevent Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. In our next post, we’re going to talk a little bit about blacklegged (deer) ticks, which carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but today we’re going to share some information about Lyme itself.
Cases of Lyme disease in Canada have been rising over the last 10 years, and has been especially bad in Nova Scotia. Lyme disease is particularly hard to track because there are a wide range of varying symptoms so Lyme is often misdiagnosed as something else. You’re likely familiar with the classic “bullseye” rash, but there are actually over 100 identified symptoms! There are three stages of Lyme: early, spreading, and chronic infection. Lyme disease is most treatable during Stage 1; after that, symptoms worsen and diagnosis and treatment become more difficult.
The best thing you can do is decrease your risk of infection by educating yourself about Lyme disease and taking preventative action. Check out our next post for more information!
