Tick Basics
Ticks are most active during this season.
What is summer?
Lyme disease is caused by this spiral-shaped bacteria.
What is Borrelia burgdorferi?
Early symptoms of Lyme disease can mimic this common seasonal illness.
What is the flu?
True or false: All ticks carry Lyme disease.
What is false?
Wearing these colors of clothing color helps you spot ticks more easily.
What is light-colored clothing?
Ticks are especially dangerous because of this reason.
What is carrying a bacteria that causes Lyme disease?
ELISA is one of these tests that frequently gives false negatives in early Lyme disease.
What is a blood (serilogical) test?
It takes this long for symptoms of Lyme disease to actually manifest.
What are 3-30 days?
Lyme disease is only spread in rural, forested areas.
What is false? (Ticks can also be found in suburban yards and parks.)
You should use this type of product on your skin or clothes to repel ticks.
What is bug spray?
The organic substance that ticks feed on.
What is blood?
This distinct rash may appear at the site of a tick bite.
What is a bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans)?
Joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees, may indicate this stage of Lyme disease.
What is chronic Lyme disease?
True or false: A tick must be attached for at least 24–48 hours to transmit Lyme disease.
What is true?
Checking pets for ticks is important because untreated animals can do this in your home.
Carry ticks indoors
The primary species of tick which spreads Lyme disease.
What are Blacklegged ticks (Deer ticks)?
If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause this condition.
What is Chronic Lyme disease, or Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD)?
In untreated Lyme disease, this neurological symptom causes weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.
What is facial palsy?
True or False: You can get Lyme disease directly from another person.
What is false? (It is only spread through tick bites.)
Daily tick checks are so important because Lyme disease is rarely spread unless this has happened for many hours.
What is a tick remaining attached long enough to feed?
The tick must usually be attached for this minimum amount of time to transmit Lyme disease.
What is 24 to 48 hours?
The largest issue with current Lyme disease diagnostics.
What are delayed test results and common false negatives.
This heart condition caused by Lyme disease can lead to irregular heartbeat and may require a pacemaker if severe.
What is Lyme carditis?
True or False: Blood tests for Lyme disease are very reliable in the first weeks after infection.
What is False? (Early tests can miss the disease; antibodies take time to develop.)
This common mistake of using petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove and treat bites is dangerous because it can increase this.
What is increasing the risk of infection (from the tick’s saliva or gut contents)?