Lyme disease - primary

Alternative names:

Lyme borreliosis; stage 1 Lyme disease; early localized Lyme infection

Prevention:

If you reside, work, or play in areas where you are frequently exposed to ticks, you may want to consider being immunized with LYMErix vaccine to prevent Lyme disease. Contact your health care provider if you live in a Lyme disease high-risk area. The following precautions also help lower your risk of becoming infected. When walking or hiking in tick infested areas, tuck long pants into socks to protect the legs, and wear shoes and long sleeved shirts. Ticks will show up on white or light colors better than dark colors, making them easier to remove from clothing. Remove ticks immediately by using a tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Insect repellent may be helpful. Check pets for ticks also.

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial