Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, as mentioned previously, can be transmitted from ticks to people. If a tick is not removed from a person immediately, the chance of getting the disease increases as the tick feeds. According to OSHA, within 36-48 hours harmful bacterium from the tick may be transferred to the person.

Symptoms include:

• Bulls-eye rash (with the bite at the center and red rings); not all victims will get the rash
• Fever
• Lymph node swelling
• Stiff neck
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Joint or muscle aches

If you have been bitten by a tick and exhibit any of these symptoms, contact a medical professional for testing, evaluation, and potential treatments. Many cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

However, if the disease is left untreated, it can cause severe, chronic, and disabling effects such as:

• Arthritis
• Muscle pain
• Heart disease
• Brain and nerve disorders

To learn more about Outdoor Biological Hazards visit our Outdoor Biological Hazards Online Training web page.