From Bite To Diagnosis: Lyme Disease Is No Laughing Matter

One tiny little insect can cause a world of trouble. That’s why Shelburne Town Clerk Colleen Haag wants to educate people about the effects of Lyme disease. Haag’s faith in the medical profession has been tested by years of seeing doctor after doctor and getting test after test but not being properly diagnosed. “Some doctors will tell you Lyme disease doesn’t exist,” she said. “There isn’t a lot of knowledge or help for chronic Lyme patients. Most of us have been sent to psychiatrists.” Haag had always been a healthy person but roughly 10 years ago she found a bull’s eye rash and sought medical assistance. Read more.

Health Officials Warn Of More Ticks; Increased Risk Of Lyme Disease

LAKE HALLIE, Wis. (WEAU) -- Douglas Doerschuck loves being able to play under the summer sun. He, his brother and their squirt guns. They spend a lot of time running through the grass at their campsite in Lake Hallie. All the while, picking up some unwanted friends along the way. "Jim, he's probably had at least 3 on him," said Amy Doerschuck about the number of ticks she's had to remove from her son. Read more.

Ticks, Mosquitoes And Ants Will Swarm Minnesota's Summer

The wet spring could produce a bumper crop of ticks. Swarms of mosquitoes are a few significant rainfalls away. And colonies of ants already are marching through Minnesota, say experts who warn of insect-related diseases, swelling bites and pesky, uninvited guests. Although this year’s tick season was delayed because of late snowfall, June could be the worst month for bites and tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, said Dave Neitzel, a Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist who specializes in mosquitoes and tick diseases. Read more.

South Shore Rotary Will Help Staten Island Woman With Chronic Lyme Disease

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Marisa Santiago is relieved to have a diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease. That’s because the alternative — not knowing what was wrong with her — was nearly as painful as her symptoms. The 32-year-old West Brighton resident has suffered joint pain, bladder and hormonal issues and food and smell sensitivities since her early teens. Her symptoms became so debilitating, she had to discontinue teaching, a job she loves. Read more.

UNF Researchers Make Lyme Disease Discovery

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Ticks are no fun. In fact, if you encounter one with Lyme disease, it can be debilitating. "It's very difficult to treat once it gets into the chronic stages," Kerry Clark said. Clark, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, has been studying Lyme disease for years. He says the symptoms are often mistaken for fibromyalgia and go under reported. Clark and his crew found two new species of tick that carry the bacteria, which is huge for the southeast. "For years, people have been told Lyme disease either doesn't exist here or is very rare. And that's not true based on our research findings," he said. Read more.