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Lyme disease can be caused by the single bite of a tiny tick, but that in no way means it's a small problem. This disease can result in symptoms that stick around long after a person has been bitten, and they can seriously impact his or her daily life. This is why it's important for anyone who discovers a tick on their body to receive Lyme disease blood testing to get treatment as soon as possible.

While many people have probably heard of Lyme disease, they may not understand just how much of an impact it can make on a person's life. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, if left untreated Lyme disease can spread to the brain, heart and joints.

Far-reaching consequences... Full Story

When it comes to preventing sexually transmitted diseases, the only effective form of contraceptive is the condom. Because of this, some would assume that most parents would be most comfortable with their daughters having access to condoms rather than other types of contraception, which may protect against unplanned pregnancy, but not STDs. However, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, that is not the case.

Researchers found that parents are most accepting of their daughters using birth control pills than other forms of contraception, including condoms, implants and the intrauterine device. This is a problem for health officials, considering that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that teens between the ages of 15 and 19 fall within the age group of individuals most likely to contract an STD. This is one of the reasons why sexually active individuals in this population need access to STD testing services.

A matter of prevention ... Full Story

People who suspect that they have Lyme disease shouldn't hesitate to get blood tests to confirm it, since properly diagnosing this condition has provided many individuals with the answers they've been waiting for regarding their health problems. Many people spend years experiencing a number of strange and debilitating health problems before they realize that they are the signs of Lyme disease and finally receive proper treatment.

For example, the Union Leader, a New Hampshire news source, recently published an article profiling one young woman who had experienced many serious diseases and medical crises through elementary, middle and high school. For years, the cause of these health problems eluded her - until doctors finally discovered that Lyme disease was the culprit.

Difficult to tell... Full Story