Private MD News

Expert urges people to be on guard against Lyme disease up until the winter

Category: Lyme Disease

Just because winter is approaching does not mean that insects are completely inactive. This is particularly true of ticks. Experts are warning individuals engaging in outdoor fall activities to be on the lookout for these bugs, which may lead to positive Lyme disease blood tests.

James Savickas, a dentist in New Hampshire, told the Merrimack Journal that ticks can remain active even when temperatures dip down to the low 40s. Individuals who go on hikes or do simple chores around the house this fall need to be aware of the danger of picking up a tick.

"My family just doesn’t go into the woods, even on the trails, unless there is snow on the ground," he told the news source. "Currently, I’m seeing quite a few patients with Lyme. It’s a terrible disease."

Anyone who has carried a tick may benefit from Lyme disease blood testing. This procedure may help identify whether or not the insect has passed along the infection and alert individuals if they require treatment.

Untreated Lyme disease can cause complications in the joints, heart and nervous system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.