National Lyme Report - How pool party saved boy from Lyme horror

How pool party saved boy from Lyme horror

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Lyme Disease Becoming More Common Here
KDKA , PA, August 2006

By Dr. Maria Simbra

PITTSBURGH - We've known about Lyme Disease for quite some time, but doctors are now seeing more cases in our area.

Lyme Disease is an infection spread by ticks, and one out of three of people don't even realize they've been bitten.

It is treatable and it's becoming more common in our area.

As the last days of summer tick away, Conor Hartnett is enjoying them like many eight year olds - playing in the backyard.

But he and his family didn't realize what else may have been lurking in the backyard until it bit him on the leg and left its tell-tale calling card - a distinctive bull's eye rash.

It started with 2 dots and then spread.

"The next day we were at a pool party and I noticed they were all over his torso," said Conner's mother Diane Hartnett. "Someone at the party said that looks like what you get when you get bitten by a tick."

The rash is a classic sign of Lyme Disease.

It's an infection caused by bacteria carried by the tiny deer tick.

A local pediatric dermatologist has seen four cases in just the last month.

"To me, that's a lot more common than we've seen in past years," said Dr. Robin Gehris of Children's Hospital.

About 30 cases a year are called in to the county health department, with most of them in the second half of the year.

But not every case is reported.

"What concerns me is that it could be out there even in higher numbers, and being missed," said Dr. Gehris.

It's more commonly seen to our east.

But the ticks that carry Lyme Disease have slowly been making their way to our area.

"It's taken 25-30 years to get the deer tick to Western Pennsylvania," said Bill Todaro of the Allegheny County Health Department.

"Until the last five years, we've been finding it on a more routine basis."

Sometimes people will send in ticks.

They aren't tested, but Todaro can still give useful information.

"Not every tick is involved in the spread of Lyme Disease," said Todaro. "So if we can tell you right up front this is or is not a tick that is carrying Lyme Disease, people go 'Whew'."

To prevent Lyme Disease, wear long pants and sleeves, especially in wooded and grassy areas.

Use a 10 percent DEET insect repellent.

Check yourself and your kids for ticks.

If you find one, gently remove it with tweezers.

Generally, if it's been on you less than 24 hours, your risk of getting Lyme Disease is low.

Some people can have joint, nerve, and heart problems if Lyme Disease goes untreated but antibiotics early on can cure it.

Most ticks bites happen in May, June, and early July, and the Lyme Disease cases just don't get reported until later in the year.

People can have symptoms of Lyme Disease, but maybe they just didn't notice the rash.

Sometimes blood tests can be helpful in those situations.

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How pool party saved boy from Lyme horror