Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by certain kind of ticks. In the Northeastern and upper Midwestern states the deer tick is responsible for carrying the disease, whereas the Western black-legged tick is the major carrier along the Pacific coast. These ticks are tiny and the bite is usually painless. The risk of Lyme disease is highest during the spring, and fall months, when young ticks are most active and people spend more time outdoors. About 12,000 new cases are reported in the U.S each year.

A tick generally must be attached to the person for 36-hours in order for the tick to transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. The average length of time before the symptoms appears is 10 days after the tick bite. When a tick carrying the Lyme disease bacteria bites a person a rash often develops at the site of the tick bite within 1 to 31 days. The rash has a bulls-eye appearance and usually expands slowly. Lyme disease develops in three stages. If the disease is not detected and treated properly early, the infection may progress to the second and third stages, which affects the skin, joints, brain, spinal cord, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, nervous system and heart.

The good news is that antibiotics are highly effective in the treatment of Lyme disease. Doxycycline has recently been shown to prevent the development of Lyme disease in up to 87% of those treated with this medicine within 72 hours of being bitten by an infected tick.

Taking preventive steps to avoid tick bites is key to avoiding this disease. When hunting, hiking, and backpacking in a wooded area one should always wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants with the legs tucked into the socks. Also, remember to always check carefully for ticks when returning from your excursion. Although deer do not become infected by the diseased tick, other animals such as dogs can catch Lyme disease. So be sure to check your dog if it has accompanied you on an outing.

Fortunately, the great majority of people who get bitten by a tick will not develop Lyme disease. Blood tests for people who get bitten by a tick are not usually necessary or practical unless the person has definite symptoms of the disease. Humans are not the only ones at risk for Lyme disease.

Tick and mosquito-borne infections can result in serious illness. The early-season bow-hunter must take the necessary preventive measures to avoid insect bites by using a combination of insect repellant: and the proper clothing. If exposed to either of these bites, the well-prepared wilderness traveler will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease and seek medical help when necessary.

*Originally appeared as part of the Wilderness Medicine article in the January/February 2003 issue of Bow Masters Magazine.

About William Strickland:

Warren Strickland is the Interventional Cardiologist-Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at Huntsville Hospital. Strickland is also recognized as an authority on “Wilderness Medicine and Outdoor Survival” and frequently writes and lectures on the subject. Strickland is an avid bow hunter and presently holds Pro-Staff positions with Mossy Oaks, BassPro, Gore, Hoyt, and Easton Arrows. When not hunting, he is spending time promoting the sport by working with Boy Scouts and other fund raisers that promote the sports of hunting and fishing. Strickland is BOM’s Spring 2007 Outdoor Profile interview.