Prince George's County Health Department Wants Residents to Take Precautionary Measures Against Lyme Disease
(LARGO – May 9, 2008) - The Prince George's County Health Department is encouraging all residents to take precautionary measures from potential tick-borne diseases, especially Lyme disease which may cause chronic health problems. Most cases of human illness occur in the late spring and summer.
"Personal protection, early diagnoses and treatment are several ways of preventing Lyme disease," said Donald Shell, M.D., M.A. "If exposure to tick infested areas cannot be avoided, individuals may reduce their risk of infection by using repellents, wearing protective clothing, and regularly checking for and removing attached ticks."
Lyme Disease is an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted from one animal to another through the bite of an infective tick transmitted by the bite of a deer tick that normally lives in mice, squirrels and other small animals. It is transmitted among these animals and to humans through tick bites. There is no evidence that lyme disease can be transmitted from person to person
The first sign of infection is usually a circular rash from 3-30 days. The center of rash may clear as it enlarges, resulting in a bull's eye appearance. Patients also may experience symptoms of fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Individuals treated with antibiotics in the early stages of the infection usually recover rapidly and completely.
Simple ways to prevent and control Lyme Disease are as follows:
· Use repellent, tick checks, and other simple measures to prevent tick bites
· When walking or hiking in wooded or grassy areas, tuck long pants into socks to protect the
legs, and wear shoes and long-sleeved shirts.
· Spray your clothes with insect repellant
· Check yourself and pets frequently
· Ask your doctor if taking antibiotics after tick bite is right for you
· Learn the early signs of tick borne illness.
For additional information visit:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Prince George's County Health Department
http://www.goprincegeorgescounty.com/Government/AgencyIndex/Health/index.asp
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Read more from BMORENEWS.COM
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY SWEARS-IN MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, OTHER STATE APPOINTEES:
Governor Martin O’Malley officially swore-in members of the Maryland State Board of Education today, a twelve-member body that serves as the policy making panel for Maryland’s public schools, public libraries, and vocational rehabilitation services. Read in Full >>
Metropola10: Rashid's 'The Basement Boutique' Moves from Laurens St. to The Shops at North & Charles:
Read in Full >>
Op/Ed - THE DEATH OF RONNIE WHITE: WHERE IS THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY NAACP?:
Given the events of the last few days involving the unfortunate death of a Prince George’s County Police officer in the line of duty and the mysterious death of one of the suspects arrested for that killing, and who died while in police custody, the 178 at-large members of the NAACP are again asking “Where is the leadership of the current Prince George’s County Branch of the NAACP?” We have yet to hear from that organization on any aspect of this incident. Read in Full >>
Advertise with Baltimore's premier website for African Americans:
The internationally-renown Chief Ed Fox: He gets it - along with our long-time advertisers like The Forum Caterers, The Tuxedo Zone, All Staffing Inc., Realtor Angelo Cooper, Attorney J. Wyndal Gordon, and Phyllis Wheatley Learning Centers! They all get it!
Advertise with www.BMORENEWS.com by calling 443.858.2684.
Read in Full >>
In A Word: Sartorial:
The ever-sartorial Scott, according to Kaplan, “has a flair about him.” Kaplan, President of Global Apparel Resources, said that Kevin’s designs are “for the guy who’s not afraid to be on the cutting-edge and the guy who wants something special and unique. He wants to be different.” Read in Full >>