MDH officials emphasize that use of the vaccine is an individual decision, to be made in consultation with your personal physician or health care provider. The vaccine is available locally at MeritCare Clinic Bagley, and may later be offered at Clearwater Clinic. Because the vaccine is new, and not without some potential risks, that decision should take into account your individual risk of exposure to Lyme disease. Avoiding exposure to ticks is still the most important strategy for preventing Lyme disease, Dr. Lifson emphasized. The best strategy for dealing with Lyme disease is early detection and treatment, Dr. Lifson said.
Antibiotic treatment is usually very effective, especially if the disease is caught early.
People who may have been in contact with tick habitat should see a physician immediately is they develop what may be early symptoms of the illness. In most people, the early symptoms typically include a characteristic type of rash. The rash consists of a reddened area with a clear area in the middle, which may expand in size to cover a very large area, or even appear in several places on other parts of the body. The appearance of the rash may vary. Other early symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, headache, fatigue, chills, and pain in the muscles or joints.