Happy spring! As trees bud and outdoor activity increases, it’s important to remember that ticks carrying Lyme disease, also known as borreliosis, are most active between April and September. They can also be present during any warmer period of the year, especially during mild winters or early spring conditions.

Deer are known carriers of the ticks that can transmit the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. However, in order to get Lyme disease one must be bitten by an infected tick that remains attached to the skin for more than 24 hours. Ticks can attach anywhere on the body, but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits and scalp.

Early symptoms typically appear three to 30 days after a bite and may include a red rash known as erythema migrans, often shaped like a bull’s-eye. Other common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system.

Once the body is infected, it will take several weeks to produce a measurable level of antibodies. Therefore, if the test is done too early, there is a risk of getting a false negative result and requiring another test be done at a later time.

Early treatment with antibiotics has a good chance for full recovery. However, there are some individuals who develop post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) with ongoing fatigue, pain and brain fog. While conventional medicine does not have any known treatments for PTLDS, integrative approaches such as acupuncture and Ondamed biofeedback have shown good results in improving symptoms and even leading to total recovery.

A phase 3 clinical trial is currently underway evaluating a Lyme disease vaccine developed by Pfizer and Valneva targeting Borrelia burgdorferi.

Prevention remains the most effective strategy. Recommended measures include avoiding tall grass and wooded areas, wearing protective clothing, using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellents, performing tick checks after outdoor activity, showering and washing clothing on high heat.

Laurie R. Mallis, M.D., LAc, is the owner of SearchLight Medical, located at 2424 Rte. 52, Ste. 1A, in Hopewell Junction. For more information or to make an appointment, call 845-592-4310, email SearchLightMed@Optimum.net or visit SearchLightMedical.com.