Tick Awareness: Tips for Protection and Prevention

Experts warn that ticks are out earlier and sticking around longer this year, making it important to protect yourself from their potentially disease-carrying bites. Lyme disease is caused by borrelia bacteria, which humans usually contract from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria. Different types of infected ticks can spread other bacteria, viruses, and parasites that make people sick. Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease is important, but some people may experience lingering symptoms, and more research is needed on the disease. There are several methods to protect yourself from ticks, including wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent, pre-treating your clothing, showering after being outdoors, and doing a tick check.