10 November, 2008

2008: Year of the Tick

Remember this? And this? Now it's my turn. :-P I've got a great big Borreliose bullseye on my thigh.

Generally the danger period for ticks and Lyme's disease ends in September. Which means I also haven't been giving Disaster Doggie her anti-tick meds and she's been bounding around unprotected for almost 2 months. Given her track record with health disasters and the fact that half the humans in her household have had it I'm not taking any chances. Will take her in to the vet for a blood test on Thursday. *sheesh*!

I'm also a little freaked out about Lyme's in general. S and M haven't had the symptomatic rash, but 20% of the people who are infected never get it! I guess the only thing I can do is just be vigilant and have them see a doctor if they ever start having headaches / joint pain / partial facial paralysis, but the problem is that by then it's usually too late.

This is just another one of those things that's better not to even think about or else it will drive me nuts!

6 comments:

christina said...

No. way. You guys must be tick magnets or something? Maybe just wrap everyone up in Saran Wrap and never leave the house again? No, really, I'm crossing my fingers that nobody in your household has further complications.

Goofball said...

yikes...

ok I'll never come and visit your area in Germany anymore. it scares me.

anno said...

My understanding is that a good freeze will kill most living ticks, but if it warms up again afterwards (too common around here), some may hatch and the survivors emerge from wherever they sought refuge. I'd be vigilant until you're sure they're good and gone.

With all the cases diagnosed in your area, I wonder if your family would qualify for monthly testing, just to be sure. Like Christina, I'm hoping for no more problems, no more complications.

Betsy said...

you know, I asked the doctor this morning if he would test S just to make sure that he doesn't have it, and he said no, that he's not going to test an asymptomatic child. If he gets the rash, fine, but otherwise, forget it.

which I can understand, because it costs money and puts pressure on the already overloaded labs, but still! It would be nice to have that reassurance that he's not infected...

Astrid said...

Maybe a private clinic could be the answer. It shouldn't cost a lot of money just for a bloodtest, and maybe it would be anyway well spent if it can reassure you?

Jen said...

Oh, Betsy, I'm so sorry to hear this! I hope you're okay!