Lyme Disease: What You Need to Know
WVU Medicine Infectious Disease expert shares prevention tips and more
As the weather warms and people spend more time outdoors in West Virginia, the risk for Lyme disease increases.
“Lyme Disease can be especially common in West Virginia because of the wildlife populations and wooded areas throughout the state,” WVU Medicine Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Maria Morel Almonte said. “Awareness is key. There are ways to reduce your risk and enjoy the outdoors safely.”
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that humans get through the bite of infected tick bites.
“Blacklegged ticks, or deer ticks, carry Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria,” Dr. Morel explained. “When ticks bite us, they spread the bacteria into our skin.”
To spread the bacteria, a tick needs to be attached to the skin for roughly 24-48 hours. Checking for and removing ticks as soon as possible reduces the risk of infection.
“After transmission, infection can be acute and go on to have long-lasting effects if left untreated,” Dr. Morel said.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The most recognizable symptom of Lyme Disease is a red bullseye rash at the site of the tick bite, which develops in the weeks following the bite.
“While some people develop the classic ‘bullseye’ rash, many rashes are simply red and expanding and may not have a clear central pattern,” Dr. Morel said. “Other common early symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.”
If left untreated, Lyme Disease will progress in stages and cause more widespread and severe symptoms like:
- Multiple rashes across the body
- Facial muscle weakness or paralysis
- Heart palpitations
- Pain and tingling in extremities
- Painful joint stiffness and swelling
Prevention and Treatment
There are many precautions people can take to prevent tick bites and Lyme Disease, according to Dr. Morel.
“When you’re spending time outdoors, use EPA-approved insect repellents such as DEET or picaridin and wear protective clothing that covers your skin, including long sleeves and long pants,” she said. “After an outing, make sure to check your body thoroughly for ticks. If you’ve been out with a partner, help check each other by examining places you can’t see easily on yourself.”
If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible with tweezers, pulling straight off by the head without twisting. Once the tick is removed, wash the bitten area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. Be sure to monitor the area and any symptoms that come in the following days or weeks.
In some cases, a single dose of antibiotics may be used after a high-risk tick bite to reduce the chance of developing Lyme disease, so it’s important to contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned.
“Lyme disease is very treatable, especially when caught early,” Dr. Morel said. “Antibiotics are effective, and early care helps prevent complications.”
With prevention strategies and prompt treatment, Lyme Disease doesn’t have to get in the way of enjoying the great outdoors this spring and summer.
“Taking simple precautions can make a big difference,” Dr. Morel said. “And if you develop symptoms after a tick bite, seek medical care early—we’re here to help.”
Learn more about Infectious Disease services at WVU Medicine: Infectious Diseases | WVU Medicine
Featured Expert
Dr. Maria Morel Almonte