LYME DISEASE

As many of you know, several club members have contracted Lyme Disease from tick bites that they have received on or near club property. Here are some facts and symptoms of Lyme Disease that may help you recognize some of the signs and minimize the damage of this disease.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria passed to you during the bite of a deer tick.
Because the tick is so small, most people with Lyme disease do not even remember
being bitten. Since tests for this disease are not always accurate, the
diagnosis can be hard to make.

Lyme disease occurs in stages. The First Stage may include a widening round red
rash at the site of the tick bite and flu-like symptoms. The Second Stage may
include joint, bone and muscle aching, fever and chills, irregular or rapid
heartbeat, facial weakness, headache and neck pain. The Third Stage may occur
months to years later with chronic arthritis. Patients with Lyme disease may
skip the first stage, or not even develop the second or third stages.

When the symptoms of Lyme disease are treated early enough, they can be stopped.
Sometimes a second or third course of antibiotics may be needed if symptoms
persist.