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How to Prevent Lyme Disease

Grades k - 5

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What is Lyme disease?

  • Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.
  • This bacteria can make people and pets sick.

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The bacteria that causes Lyme disease lives inside the stomach of a deer tick

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How do ticks get the bacteria?

Ticks get the bacteria when they bite and feed on an animal that is carrying the bacteria, such as:

    • Mouse
    • Bird
    • Other small animal

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Ticks can pass the bacteria to other animals

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Ticks can also pass the bacteria to people and pets

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A Tick’s Life

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What do deer ticks look like?

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Deer tick larvae have 6 legs, and

nymphs and adults have 8 legs

adult

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Actual Tick Sizes

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Where are ticks found?

  • Woods
  • Tall grass
  • Shrubs
  • Piles of leaves and brush

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How Do People Get �Bitten by Ticks?

  • Ticks don’t fly or jump.
  • Ticks hang out in vegetation and grab onto people (or clothes) when they walk by.
  • A tick will then crawl to a feeding spot on the person or animal.

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How does a tick spread the bacteria that causes Lyme disease?

  • Once ticks bite they usually hang on for several days while they feed.
  • Usually a tick must bite and stay attached to your skin for at least 36 hours before it can give you Lyme disease.

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Ticks After a Blood Meal

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What are the signs of �Lyme disease?

  • Swollen joints

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  • Rash that may look like a bull’s eye or a target
  • Sore muscles
  • Very tired

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Treating Lyme Disease�

Your doctor will give you medicine if you need it.

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REPEL

  • Ask a parent to buy bug spray (repellent) that will protect your skin from ticks.

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  • The repellent should be applied to your skin (that is not covered by your clothes) before you go outside.

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  • You can also treat your clothes with Permethrin.

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INSPECT

  • Check for ticks on your body every day.
  • Find a buddy and check each other’s clothes and skin.
  • Ask an adult to help you.

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When you have been outside…

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REMOVE

  • Tell an adult.
  • Have an adult help you to carefully remove the tick with a pair of fine point tweezers.
  • Wash the bite with soap and water.

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If you find a tick on your body:

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Prevent Lyme Disease

How to BE TICK SMART:

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  • Stay out of areas where ticks live.

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  • Wear light colored clothing & tuck pants into socks
  • Repel – use bug spray.
  • Inspect – check your body for ticks when you come inside. Take a shower to wash off ticks you cannot see.
  • Remove – if you find a tick, have an adult remove it with tweezers.

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Other ways to protect yourself from tick bites

Wear long pants tucked into your socks to keep ticks off you.

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When hiking or walking in grassy areas:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and, light colored clothes to make it easier to spot ticks.

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Pets can get ticks

  • Check your pet for ticks after it has been outside and remove any ticks.
  • Ask your veterinarian about collars, sprays, powders, and other treatments will help stop ticks from biting your pet.

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Keep your yard safe from ticks.

  • Keep grass cut short
  • Remove leaf piles and brush
  • Use deer fencing

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Remember, �You can prevent Lyme Disease by �Keeping Ticks off your Body!

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