COMMON QUESTIONS
I heard there is a Lyme vaccine. How, and should, I get one?

A vaccine for Lyme disease, called LYMErix, is now available. LYMErix is given in a 3 shot series at 0, 1, and 6 to 12 months. Studies have shown that after the series, 78% of those immunized were protected against Lyme disease. The vaccine is currently approved for those aged 15 through 70 years old. Recently, however, there has been some concern that the vaccine may cause arthritis-like symptoms. Therefore, it makes sense only to get the immunization if you live in an area with a very high risk of Lyme disease AND if you are commonly in fields and woods where you will likely be exposed to deer ticks.

A large study is currently underway to determine if this vaccine will be safe and effective in children aged 4 and older. Your doctor can give you more information on who should be vaccinated, but those who often are exposed to tall grass and fields, and in an area where lyme is prevalent should strongly consider being vaccinated.

There's a tick on me! What do I do?

If the tick is attached, use a fine-point tweezers to pull the tick off gently by its mouthparts. Grasp the tick with the tweezers as close to your skin as possible and with a gentle, yet firm upward motion, pull the tick out. Don't pull it off by its belly as you might squeeze infected fluids into your skin by mistake. Also, don't try to burn or crush the tick for the same reason, as the tick may regurgitate into the bite. Smothering the tick with petroleum jelly or nail polish often doesn't work fast enough, and the tick often has enough air to finish its meal (and infect you).

Once removed, wash your hands, the tweezers, and the bite site with warm soapy water. Keep watch for a rash or skin infection, and alert your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, or if you develop a fever or illness.

Remove ticks by grasping as close to your skin as possible.

I got the tick off. Should I take antibiotics, or at least get a blood test?

Because the risk of getting Lyme from a deer tick bite is so low (estimated to be less than 1 in 10 people if the tick was attached less than 72 hours), antibiotics are not indicated. In fact, the potential risks of taking unnecessary antibiotics (e.g., allergic reaction, diarrhea, and bacterial resistance) may be just as serious as Lyme disease. Likewise, getting a blood test if you don't have any symptoms is not necessary. The blood test often won't show the infection in the first 3 weeks, or it may be falsely negative or positive. If you develop a rash or other flu-like symptoms, you should see your family doctor to see if you have Lyme or another illness.

A recent study showed that taking one dose of Doxycycline antibiotic after a deer tick bite, can significantly decrease the risk of getting Lyme disease. This study showed that without taking the antibiotic, you have a 3.2% risk of catching Lyme disease after a deer tick bite. Taking one dose of antibiotic reduced the chance of Lyme by 87%. Based on this, 40 people who had a deer tick bite would have to be treated to prevent just 1 case of Lyme, and since Lyme is fairly easily treated once diagnosed, it is generally not recommended that everybody who is bitten by a deer tick get a dose of antibiotic. (That said, if you live in an area with a lot of Lyme, and you find an engorged deer tick on you, the risk of Lyme is higher (about 10%) and it perhaps make sense to take one dose of Doxycycline (within 72 hours of tick bite). We suggest you discuss this with your doctor.

I'm always tired, should I get a Lyme test?

Many people feel tired or fatigued. It is rare for this to be due to Lyme disease without other symptoms (such as fever, rash, chills, or arthritis). If you feel chronically exhausted, it is important to see your family doctor to discuss more common causes of this problem, like depression, fibromyalgia, or thyroid abnormalities. In addition to a thorough history and exam, blood tests to look for anemia, thyroid disease, and possibly Lyme disease might be considered.