Lyme disease is so good at mimicking other disorders that it has
earned the nickname
”
The Great Imitator.
”
The disease, transmitted in California by nymphs and adult
females of the western black-legged tick, is often misdiagnosed and
undertreated.
Lyme disease is so good at mimicking other disorders that it has earned the nickname “The Great Imitator.”
The disease, transmitted in California by nymphs and adult females of the western black-legged tick, is often misdiagnosed and undertreated.
Frequently, it is mistaken for more common conditions, such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
The disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, a corkscrew-shaped bacteria, and can be cured with antibiotics if caught early. If treatment is delayed, however, the disease can lead to progressive debilitation with a much longer recovery, or even to death.
The tick that spreads the disease is most active in spring and early summer, and the nymph is so small that it is frequently hard to see.
Many who are bitten by a nymph don’t remember being bitten, according to KayRee Shreeve, who is helping the California Lyme Disease Association spread the word about Lyme Disease Awareness Week, May 4 through 10.
Steps to help ensure you don’t suffer from the disease:
• Avoid tic-infested areas and check yourself frequently for tiny ticks for several days.
• Remove any biting ticks with tweezers or a special tick remover, but do not twist, squeeze or mutilate the tick, and try not to get any tick fluids on your bare skin.
• Disinfect the bite area and wash your hands.
• Watch for any signs of a developing rash.
• See a doctor knowledgeable about Lyme disease if you experience a rash or flu-like symptoms after exposure to ticks.
