Thread by @JosephHydell

Hello Twitter Friends,
Quick Poll: Did you go hiking or nature walks in the northeast or upper Midwest of the U.S. this summer? #nature #hiking #ph260720

If you answered yes, did you happen to meet my friend, Ticky? And did you know that ticks (specifically blacklegged ticks) are the main transmitters for Lyme Disease? #ticky #lymedisease #ph260720

Lyme Disease is caused primarily by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease can be very unpredictable in the symptoms it can cause. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash that can look like a bulls eye or “target” rash. #lymedisease #ph260720

Now I don’t want to cause a panic. There are a lot of little critters that look like a tick, especially if you’re trying to remember a bug from months ago. The good news is that not all ticks carry Lyme Disease! #LymeDisease #ph260720

And even if you are bitten by a tick, the tick needs to be attached to a person’s skin for 36-48 hours to infect them. #LymeDisease #ph260720

It’s also possible to not show any symptoms when you have Lyme disease. If you had a target rash or if you ever had a bug that might have been latched onto you for more than a day, please see a doctor to get tested for #LymeDisease #ph260720

Also some good news about Lyme Disease is that it’s easily treated! Common antibiotics are effective (most of the time) at treating #LymeDisease #unpredictable #ph260720

I also want to note that Lyme Disease has been spreading over the last two decades. The disease will likely continue to spread as temperatures rise. You can find more information here on the @CDCgov website cdc.gov/lyme/stats/map… #climatechange #ph260720

So some of you may be asking yourselves, how do I stop these nasty little buggers from giving me Lyme Disease?? The best preventions include: staying on hiking trails, wearing long sleeves/pants, and @EPA approved tick repellents. #LymeDisease #ph260720

As a rule, any time you go hiking or walking in a wooded, brushy area, remember to check yourself for ticks. And don’t forget that pets are susceptible to Lyme Disease too! Tick prevention meds are available online and they can save your pet’s life! #LymeDisease #ph260720