Dr. Richard S. Roberts spoke about the effects of tick borne illnesses at the recent Crosslake Chautauqua - and provided information about preventing tick bites.

According to Roberts, 966 cases of tick-borne illnesses were reported to the Minnesota Department of Health between 1998 and 2007 in Crow Wing County alone. At 20 percent, Crow Wing has the largest number of reported cases in the state, with Cass County as second with 8 percent. According to Entomologist Jeff Hahn of the University of Minnesota, this prevalence could be simply due to the intersection of human activity and tick habitat.

Roberts even suggests that these numbers may be even larger as official reports of Lyme Disease are regulated by somewhat strict standards. There could be more cases being treated in hospitals and clinics than are actually reported. Furthermore, not all doctors do their duty in reporting official cases.

Roberts said that tick season is well underway. Most incidents of tick borne illnesses occur during the months of May, June and July, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Health. It is at this time that ticks are out of hibernation and feeding heavily.

According to Roberts, a tick's lifespan lasts for three stages ending after two to three years. These stages progress from egg, to larvae, to nymph and finally to adult, and often begin or end with a blood feeding. A female tick only lays eggs following a feeding. After the eggs hatch into larvae, they feed on the blood of rodents and other animals before morphing into nymphs. Those nymphs must then feed before either morphing into adults, or hibernating for the winter becoming adults the following spring. Then the cycle repeats itself.

Oftentimes nymph deer ticks are the culprits responsible for infections. This is because they are sometimes as small as a flake of pepper. As a result they are less likely to be found before the mandatory 24-48 hour incubation period. Larger ticks would likely be found before any danger of infection occurs.

"Most of the people I have diagnosed with Lyme don't even know they were bit," Roberts said. "Those ticks that are found and removed rarely result in Lyme Disease."

In his presentation, Roberts added that infection from known tick bites represent only 1-3 percent of reported cases. Again, this is because those ticks that are found attached are usually removed immediately, often interrupting the "time exposure" required to contract tick-borne illnesses. According to Roberts, removal is the absolute first thing to do because of this reason.

Roberts also took time to dispel misinformation on tick-borne illnesses and fill in where information is lacking. Deer ticks are the only ticks that carry Lyme, Human Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis diseases. There is no record of these diseases being transmitted by fleas, mosquitoes, or biting flies. The disease is not contagious among infected humans or animals, and there is no record of the disease being transmitted through blood transfusion. Perhaps most importantly, human beings are unable to develop immunity to these tick-borne illnesses.

Diagnoses of these diseases in the early stages are vital to avoiding long-term affects. Cases of Lyme that are allowed to go untreated can often result in Rheumatoid Arthritis, which may not be reversible.

Lyme is famous for a rash that is often shaped like a bull's eye. This rash, called Erythema Migrans, may be centered on a tick bite but might also be located elsewhere. The rash develops in 60 to 80 percent of people infected with Lyme, but is not necessary for a positive identification. Note that this rash is often two inches in diameter and spreading. Dime- to quarter-size rashes are likely only a result of localized swelling from the tick's saliva.

Otherwise, Lyme can also present with flu like symptoms that include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and headaches. Symptoms persist for several days. If allowed to go untreated, Lyme goes through multiple stages that cause varied symptoms including muscle weakness, astiff neck or even myocarditis (abnormal heart rhythm). The final stage presents with painful arthritis that could eventually become chronic.

Human Anaplasmosis presents much like Lyme Disease though perhaps more severely. Symptoms also include loss of appetite and severe weight loss. Both Lyme Disease and Human Anaplasmosis are detected through blood work and treated successfully by an antibiotic called Doxycycline, which is also used in treatment for acne, chronic bronchitis, and other illnesses.

Babesiosis acts very different from Lyme Disease and Human Anaplasmosis and is treated using different medication. Babesiosis often causes anemia, though most infections are without symptoms. Immunocompromised individuals, and those without a spleen, are most susceptible to this illness. Other symptoms include high fever, chills and sweats, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain as well as weakness and headache. Babesiosis, Lyme, and Human Anaplasmosis are co-infectious and may all occur in the same individual. Such a case was presented to the Brainerd Medical Center last year.

According to both Roberts and Hahn, prevention is the key. Light-colored clothing is helpful in spotting ticks and tucking your pants into your socks can keep them from attaching to your skin. DEET can also be used to repel ticks and clothing treated with a chemical called permethrin can kill ticks on contact. Of course, some individuals are wary of using DEET because of health concerns, though Roberts explains that prevention is worth the risk. Proper light application to individuals above the age of 8 reduces the risk of not only tick bites, but also complications.

And, of course, it is perhaps most important to check yourself for ticks from head to toe upon returning from an outing. Parents should particularly make sure children ages birth to 12 years old check themselves as they are at considerably higher risk for Lyme Disease.