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2007-8-28 18:32:03 |
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Wednesday August 8, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- Today's top health news is President Georgia W. Bush's suspected Lyme disease that occurred last year. A series of recent physical exams suggest that President Bush is "fit for duty". Lyme disease was suspected last year when President Bush had a rash. But he did not experience any other symptoms that are commonly associated with Lyme disease. Lyme disease which often spreads to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick is characterized by symptoms including flu-like fever, headache, muscle pain, stiff neck, and swelling of knees and other joints. Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorgeri. Left untreated, the disease in its late stage can affect the joints, heart and nervous system. In the United State, the disease is often found in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. During 2003 to 2005, 93 percent of 64,382 Lyme disease cases occurred in those states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The simple measure that can be used to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid areas with a lot of ticks, according to the CDC. Ticks prefer wooded and bushy areas with high grass and a lot of leaf litter. These areas should be avoided. Extra precautions are advised in May, June, and July. This is when ticks that transmit Lyme disease are most active. If you do enter a tick area, make sure to walk in the center of the trail to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter. |
