Some Symptoms to watch

	"Bulls Eye Rash" or other unexplained rash or whelps
	Unexplained or flu-like fever, sweats, chills or fevers
	Unusual fatigue or lack of strength
	Difficulty breathing and/or heart palpitations
	Elevated blood pressure
	Stiffness or pain in muscles, joints, chest, neck or back
	Swelling of joints or glands
	Gout-like symptoms
	Arthritic type pain
	Blurry eyes or other change in vision or hearing
	Numbness of the extremities or facial paralysis (Bell's palsy).
	Change in bowel or bladder function
	Testicular or pelvic pain
	Stomach or digestive tract upset
	Sore throat
	Lightheaded, dizziness, confusion, disorientation
	Sleep disorders
	Mood swings or mental disorders
	Twitching of muscles, tremors or shaking
	Unexplained milk production or breast pain
	Headaches
	Any unexplained or unusual weight change

This is a large list of symptoms that have been associated with Lyme Patients. These symptoms can also be aligned with several other health issues. The possibility of Lyme would likely include several symptoms from the ones listed above. This is not to be used as a diagnosis for Lyme - but, merely a reference point.

Diagnosis and Treatment
If Lyme or other tick borne illness is suspected or being treated, it is quite helpful for the patient to maintain a health chart that will indicate the lifestyle pattern and frequency of symptoms. This could be valuable input toward a diagnosis and/or further treatment. In fact, a health chart is a good idea to keep for diagnosis or treatment protocol for any health complaint.

The issues that relate to diagnosing can be very complicated and it is easy to see how Tick Borne illness can be mis-diagnosed for other illness such as Lupus, Gout, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and MS.

While missing a proper diagnosis of Lyme is certainly a serious consideration, it is also important to avoid attaching a diagnosis that is not real. One more reason to make sure that the Clinical Diagnosis and treatment involves a doctor who is an experienced expert and who is successfully treating Lyme patients. If one is not available in your area, at least find one that is willing to work as a consultant with your present physician.

Although, the standard treatment includes antibiotics, there are varying opinions among doctors regarding dosage ...what kind, how much and how long. One thing is commonly agreed upon, the earlier you get treatment, the better. Some people are using Alternatives alone and others are incorporating Alternatives (or Complimentary medicines) along with standard treatment. Many medical professionals are recommending a health regimen of particular nutrients and exercise to support recovery. Inadequate treatment can leave your body defenseless against the continued growth of bacteria and the damage that can be done by this disease. So, learn all you can about your options.

There are additional health circumstances that should be considered if Lyme is suspected. Steroids that are often prescribed for other health issues are usually not recommended for patients with Lyme. Steroids can slow the immune system response and this could give the Lyme bacteria opportunity to continue its growth and destruction. Pregnant women should be especially careful since Lyme has been reported to transfer to the fetus.

Vaccine Facts
In January, 1999, came news that the first-ever anti-Lyme vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The genetically engineered vaccine is suppose to attack and kills the Spirochetes/bacteria in ticks as they feed on you.

Although it was reported to be successful in clinical trials, there is emerging news of induced arthritic symptoms for some people. So, this makes the side effects and reported success rate uncertain. The vaccine does not cause your body to build antibodies against the virus. Continued yearly boosters, after the first 3 to 5 initial doses, is the normal procedure for this type vaccination. Effectiveness is reported lower in people over aged 60, and it has not yet been approved for children under 15.

Should everyone living in tick territory run out and get the vaccine? We can't recommend it with side effects currently under scrutiny by many medical professionals and government agencies. The vaccine can not be considered total protection against Lyme and is reported of no use at all for the other diseases ticks can spread. Characteristically, vaccinations can depress the immune function and that presents another set of issues to be considered. People who definitely should not get the vaccine include people with chronic arthritis, people who are currently being treated for Lyme, and pregnant women.

Dogs can also be infected with Lyme and may show signs of arthritis. There is a vaccine available for pets. We do not know how safe or effective it might be for animals. You will find a resource page below for Pets and Lyme.

Know Your Risks
Are you in an area reported with high infestation of ticks that carry tick borne illness? The highest incidences of Lyme Disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), are the Northeast from Massachusetts to Maryland; the North-central states, particularly Wisconsin and Minnesota; and the West Coast, particularly Northern California. But within these areas, the reported level of infestation may vary widely. It also occurs in Europe, Russia, China, Japan, and Australia. Even though other countries, states or communities are not mentioned as a risk factor, they may still have ticks that can infect you.

Approximately 90 percent of all known cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. have occurred in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. We have no way of knowing how many cases in these or other locations go unreported or mis-diagnosed.

If you do not know for sure what your risk factor is, contact your local health department for input. However, don't forget......where ever ticks are, there is potential for infection and even if you have had the vaccine, it is not a guarantee against infection. If you have a past history of Lyme, you can still get it again.

Prevention is the Best Medicine
Whether or not you choose to get the vaccine, prevention is still the best medicine when it comes to tick-borne diseases. Take precautions to avoid unnecessary risks, especially from May to September when ticks are most active.

Protect Your Property
Mice, a key carrier of ticks, like to nest in leaves and other clutter that might be found near wooded areas. So, reduce the risk by clearing away leaf clutter on or along your property. Clean up the area between woods and lawn and spray this area with acaricides (tick-killing chemicals). If you are in a known area for high risk, you may even want to move bird houses away from your house. A barrier between your house and the woods might be a helpful reminder. It could be as simple as wood chips between the woods and the lawn.

Protect Yourself when in potential tick areas

You can save the tick (dead or alive) for testing by placing in a closed plastic bag. If the tick is alive and you wish to get it tested that way, also include a slightly moistened piece of paper towel. If you want to have the tick tested or blood tests on yourself, choose reliable labs to do the work.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful in the later stages of disease. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, landscaping, and integrated pest management. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tick-borne diseases as well.

Read more: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/index.htm