Preventing Lyme disease Published July 8, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Valarie S. Wiggins Minot Air Force Base Public Health MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- With warm weather come those pesky little ticks, harmless right? Wrong! Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bite of an infected tick. Most symptoms appear three to 30 days after being bitten and last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Early manifestations of infection may include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. Left untreated, late manifestations involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. In a majority of cases, symptoms can be eliminated with antibiotics, especially if diagnosis and treatment begins early in the course of illness. Lyme disease can usually be cured by an appropriate course of antibiotic treatment, however, late, delayed, or inadequate treatment can lead to "late stage" or "chronic" Lyme disease that can be disabling and difficult to treat. The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid contact with ticks. Ticks are commonly found in tall grass, shrubs, and trees and should be avoided if possible. If exposure to tick habitats cannot be avoided people should protect themselves by the application of repellents containing at least 5 percent DEET every 90 minutes, wearing long sleeves, pants, and shoes that cover feet, daily tick checks, and prompt removal of any attached ticks. When removing ticks do not squash, burn, or apply substances such as oil or repellents. Use tweezers to grasp the tick's mouthparts as close to the skin as possible, and pull it straight outward. Pull slowly and firmly. The tick's mouthparts are covered with tiny barbs that may make it difficult to remove. Wash the site of the bite and apply an antiseptic. For more information, call Minot AFB Public Health at 723-5204.