RedGage

Not when we are talking about tick-borne Lyme Disease which is costing lives.  Tick bites does look insignificant and harmless but recent findings have proven otherwise. Like in the case of Joanne Drayson used to walk her dogs regularly in the woodland near her home in Guildford, Surrey and was unaware that a tick the size of a poppy seed would infect her with a serious and debilitating disease.

Initially, she had a strange recurring symptom where her whole body would turn rigid with no reason. Later, her health deteriorated to such an extent that she was unable to lift her legs or arms. The pain in her hips also meant she was unable to climb stairs in her own home.In the end, she was retired on health grounds from her job in the civil service.

After more than 4 years. Mrs Drayson now realizes what had happened and triggered the extreme fatigue, joint pain and stiffness that plagued her. Remembering that fateful tick bite on her foot back in 2003 which resulted her to have flu-like symptoms that lasted several weeks and because it seemed to be relatively insignificant at that time, she did not think much of it other than another bout of flu and was subsequently bitten again. This time it brought about arthritic pain symptoms which her doctor did not pick it up her actual infection and subscribed normal pain killers instead of treating her for Lyme Disease.

Now stories like Mrs. Drayson may be one of those successes where her condition did not deteriorate to a stage where it is too late for any recourse by medication or treatment. I think we should be wary and be very careful when we are bitten by ticks which might be infected by this disease and in turn find ourselves infected by it. It comes as no surprise as the symptoms of this is disease is rather similar to a flu infection and old age, to find that even that more than two third of such cases were misdiagnosed in a medically well established country like UK.

What is Lyme Disease?

• Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks.
• The ticks that cause the disease are commonly found in woodland and heath areas, because that is where tick-carrying animals, such as deer and mice, live.
• The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a pink or red circular "bull's-eye" rash that develops around the area of the bite.
• Flu-like symptoms and fatigue are often the first noticeable signs of infection.
• Diagnosed cases of Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated neurological problems and joint pain can develop months or years later.

Where do ticks live?

• Ticks can survive in many places, but prefer moist areas with dense vegetation or long grass.
• Ticks are most active between spring and autumn.
• Ticks prefer warm moist places on your body.

So, I believe it is time to stop taking things for granted and start looking into prevention than letting this affliction happen to us. Don't take bites especially from ticks lightly and when something like symptoms does appear for no reason like epidemic then we should be careful and let our doctors know what had happened to you on top of telling your areas of discomfort. Be as detailed as you can.

Also, I believe it is good to start considering a good insect repellent when you walk in possible  tick infested areas. Prevention is always better than cure, in my opinion.