Lyme disease is one of many health concerns for all that travel outside, but especially for those people who travel through heavily wooded areas such as hikers.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection of the spirochete. It is characterized by inflammation and is transmitted through tick bites. Ticks acquire the bacterium through biting deer and mice that are infected with Lyme disease. Through tick bites, the bacterium is capable of entering into the open wound, thus infecting the bitten person. It is not a contagious disease and cannot be spread person to person. It should also be noted that not everyone who gets infected with the bacterium will experience symptoms or develop Lyme disease. Early symptoms are often similar to the flu such as chills, fever, sweating, nausea, muscle pain and lethargy. Oftentimes, a "bulls eye" rash may be seen at the site of the tick bite. Later, symptoms are more severe and include joint pain, stiff neck and itching all over the body.
Depending on when treatment is started and at what stage of the disease progression, there may be no complications to some more severe complications such as irreversible damage done to the heart or nervous system. Treatment for Lyme disease is a full course of antibiotics and pain relievers. If fluid accumulation around joints is severe as sometimes is with later stages of the disease, doctors can remove the fluid through athrocentesis. As this is a health concern for those who are avid hikers or those who live in heavily wooded areas, those that are at risk should take preventative measures against tick bites such as wearing protective clothing (long pants, high boots) and applying a topical bug repellant.
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