On Monday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Lyme disease is a "tremendous" public health problem, infecting 10 times more Americans than reports have suggested. New estimates suggest that 300,000 people are infected with the illness every year, making it the most common tick-borne illness.
We've compiled several resources for those interested in learning more about the disease.
- The Infectious Diseases Society of America has published guidelines for the management of patients with Lyme disease, described by the Centers for Disease Control as "the best available synthesis of the medical literature on the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease."
- On the Centers for Disease Control website, there is much more information about signs and symptoms, treatment, how to remove a tick and Frequently Asked Questions.
- The CDC recommends seeing your doctor right away if you develop illness within a few weeks of a tick bite: symptoms include a rash, fever, body aches, facial paralysis, and arthritis. The CDC also notes ticks can also transmit other diseases, and suggests being on alert for any illness that follows a tick bite.
- Click here for tips on how to prevent tick bites.