Description
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- Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria from ticks
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Location
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- Mountains or highlands regions of western states and western Canada that contain rocky surfaces with moderate shrub cover and scattered pines
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Cause
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Symptoms
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- Headache
- Slight fever
- Muscle or joint pain
- Neck stiffness
- Swollen glands
- Jaw discomfort
- Inflammation of the eye membranes
- A rash (erythema migrans) occurs in 65–75 percent of cases. The rash often looks like a bulls-eye with central clearing and/or darkening around the edge.
- Additional skin lesions may appear in order areas and could last for days or weeks.
- Heart, nervous system and join manifestations may develop if untreated.
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Treatment
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- Seek medical attention from a physician
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Prevention
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- Avoid tick-infested habitats during spring and early summer
- Use personal protection, such as wearing pants and shirts with long sleeves
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Other Facts
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- Over 9,000 cases were reported in 1992 in the northeastern and upper Midwest states in the United States, which were caused by the deer tick.
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