Summer Is Peak Time For Lyme Disease

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Dr. Tom Evans of Iowa Health System offers prevention tips and symptoms of Lyme disease, which is an infection carried by deer ticks.

Evans said that Lyme disease is a bacteria infection, and that two-thirds of people that get Lyme disease don't know that they have been bitten by deer ticks.

The disease is the most common ailment transmitted by an insect in the U.S.

Evans said there were 49 cases of Lyme disease in Iowa last year.

Evans said that the disease is present in certain areas of the country. On the East Coast, it occurs from Massachusetts to Virginia. One the West Coast, it occurs in northern California and Oregon. In the Midwest, it can be found in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the eastern two-thirds of Iowa.

Evans said the symptoms of Lyme disease make it difficult to detect.

He said the first stage of the disease includes flu-like symptoms. He said in two-thirds of Lyme disease cases, people have a rash like a bullseye.

He said in the second stage, a person may experience cardiac and neurological symptoms.

He said that in the third stage, a person may experience arthritis and inflammation of the brain.

Evans said the treatment for Lyme disease is antibiotics. Patients take oral antibiotics in the early stages, and an IV in later stages.

He said people should avoid areas where there is tall grass and brush in which ticks may be located. He also suggests wearing protective clothing and insect repellant.

He recommends checking children after they have been playing outside.