• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / Warnings about Lyme disease

Warnings about Lyme disease

May 10, 2010 By Andrew Beckett

Spring time is here, and with it comes warnings about Lyme disease.

Warmer weather means more people will be spending time outside, and State Health Officer Dr. Seth Foldy says it also means an increased risk of tick bites.

Of particular concern are deer ticks, which can spread Lyme disease. While Foldy says it’s usually not fatal, the illness can cause arthritis-like symptoms, along with heart and nervous system problems. About 2,500 cases of the disease were reported in Wisconsin last year.

Avoiding tick bites requires some simple precautions. Foldy suggests wearing pants and long sleeves if you’ll be spending time in wooded areas or around tall grass. You can also repel ticks by with products containing DEET. He also suggests checking yourself, your children, and any pets over carefully when you get back in doors.

The deer tick is very small, about the size of a poppy seed. So, Foldy says it’s important to look carefully and you’ll get the best results with a bright light helping in the search.

If you find a tick, Foldy says the only one effective way to remove it is to use a pair of tweezers pressed up closely against the skin. He says you should be careful to grab the tick by the head so you don’t accidentally leave it behind when you remove the rest of the body.

If you suspect you’ve been infected or develop a bulls-eye shaped rash, contact a doctor. Lyme disease is typically treatable with antibiotics.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:05)

lymeva051010

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine



Featured Stories

House passed gun purchase background check bills last year with no support from Wisconsin Republicans

Future of abortion in Wisconsin hinges on SCOTUS ‘Roe’ decision

Juvenile arrested in connection with death of Lily Peters

Missing Chippewa Falls girl found dead, police seek suspect

Medical marijuana legislation gets public hearing at Capitol

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC