Lyme Disease Prevention

Tick season is upon us in the Thunder Bay region! Black-legged (deer) ticks are becoming more prevalent in this area and are known for carrying Borrelia (the spirochete that causes Lyme disease). There are many things we do not know about Lyme disease, but there are also many things that we do know.  We know that ticks are not the only insects that transmit Borrelia.  We know that if people are infected with Borrelia bacteria, they are often also infected with one or more other bacteria including Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and/or several others. We know that these bacteria can stay active and/or dormant in the body for many years.  We also know that the testing available in most labs is not accurate and that symptoms can be changeable and varied.  All of these factors make it hard to both diagnose and treat Lyme and associated diseases.  Out of necessity, and then curiosity, Christy Tashjian NP is gaining the education and knowledge, based on guidelines of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), to test and treat for acute and chronic Lyme disease.