With each passing summer, Lyme disease (named after a town in Conn.) has become an increasing cause of concern. So far, more than 13,000 cases have been reported in the U.S., with about 5,000 last year alone. The actual number of cases may be much higher.

Fortunately, this tickborne disease is treatable and curable during its initial stages. Early treatment is crucial; reducing the likelihood of long term complications.

The INFECTION is caused by a corkswrew-shaped bacterium known as a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi). It is transmitted primarily via certain species of deer ticks, these are smaller than the common dog tick. A deer tick before it becomes engorged with blood, looks like a mole or blood blister. While the flat, eight-legged adults are less than one tenth of an inch long, immature ticks (called nymphs) are about the size of a pinhead, and the larvae are nearly invisible. The male is black, and the female is dark red and black. When filled with blood the tick becomes gray and increases in size three- to fivefold.

Fortunately, not all ticks are deer ticks and even if you are bitten by a deer tick, it may not be infected. Currently, in the West (primarily in Pacific coast from just north of San Francisco into Washington - but moving Southward) only about 1 to 2% of deer ticks may harbor the bacteria. Finally, even if a tick is infected, it takes time to transfer the bacteria to you (up to 12-24 hrs. or longer).

The peak period for Lyme disease is the summer (when the nymphs are active), but symptoms may appear months later. Unfortunately, no single symptom appears in all cases, and there's no predictable time frame or sequence of symptoms; making Lyme disease hard to diagnose. Still, three general phases have been identified:

PHASE ONE. Most often within 30 days of being bitten by an infected tick, a small red bump may appear at the site of the bite surrounded by a rash that gradually grows for several weeks and then fades. (Note, if the rash develops within a few hours of the bite, it may merely be a reaction to the bite itself, not the bacteria.) The rash may have a firm center area, feel warm to the touch, and disappear briefly, only to reappear elsewhere on your body. At the same time, one may develop flu-like symptoms: fatigue, chills, headache, muscle and joint aches, and low fever. However, you may not develop a rash (which is often the case here in Southern Calif. so far) but just the flu-like symptoms - or you may have none of these early symptoms at all.

PHASE TWO. About 20% of untreated people develop neurological or cardiac disorders weeks or months after the bite.

PHASE THREE. About half of untreated people develop recurring or chronic arthritis after a latent period of up to two years.

Finally, what should you do if you are your kids are bitten by a tick? If possible save the tick for identification. If it is a deer tick it may be justified to begin a coarse of antibiotics right away, even if you have no symptoms (currently, this is probably not indicated here in Southern California, but may be applicable if you have been to a more endemic area). You should certainly let the office know, and always be alert to the development of a rash or other symptoms during the next few weeks.

PRECAUTIONS (re tick bite and exposure):
Wear light-colored shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt so the dark ticks stand out more readily. Tuck in your shirt, and pull your socks up over the pant cuffs. Ticks most commonly affix themselves to the feet, ankles, and legs. Apply an insect repellent to your shoes, socks, and pant cuffs. A repellent with DEET is considered the most effective against ticks (avoid over exposure directly to skin, especially in young children). While outside, check your clothes often for ticks. If you find any, remove them. When you come home, inspect yourself thoroughly for ticks, paying special attention to the groin, back, armpits, and head. If you regularly spend a lot of time in tick country, don't wear your field clothes home. This will reduce the chances of exposing family
members. Dogs and cats should wear tick collars year-round. If you find a tick embedded on your body, use a fine tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as you can and gently pull it out, making sure thathe mouth parts do not remain in the skin.