I agree with you, and made a new page. Up here, we get Dog Ticks, and Deer Ticks. I know about the Deer Ticks, since I got Lyme Dissease this past spring. I knew what it was, and got treated right away, so I only felt ill for a few days. Thanks Lynette.

This morning I found a tick that I believe is an adult deer tick but it didn't look engorged on my body in my bed. My little dog is on frontline topspot and we were outdoors on Saturday 2 days ago (today is Tuesday). Do you think either me or my dog should be tested for lyme or other diseases?
Thanks.
Mary from Springfield, VA

with a big red patch (bulls-eye), and symptoms of no energy, fever, and stiff neck. The doctor said those were all classic signs of lyme and treated me with antibiotics, which took the symptoms away in 2 days. The doctor also said that tests won't show lyme until you've had it for a couple months.
Lyme isn't harmful (other than flu-like symptoms)if treated early, so I would suggest to see the doctor only if you show any symptoms.

Tom, you're lucky, you got treated within the three week window. The majority of people aren't so lucky. Lyme can be so debilitating that people are unable to live their lives normally again. Lyme can even be fatal, as it can affect the heart and nervous system.

Often Lyme is untreated because either the medical system doesn't recognize it (political) or it is misdiagnosed. Even after a month or so with Lyme or another tick borne illness, the tests can be inconclusive. This is because the bacteria burrow into the tissues and often aren't floating around in your system so the tests end up coming up with nada.

Here are some sites for further information:
- Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation http://www.canlyme.com/
- International Lyme and Assoiciated Disease Society (ILADS) http://www.ilads.org/index.html
- Joseph J. Burrascano Jr, MD: Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses September, 2005 http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.html
- Lyme Disease Association, Inc. (LDA) http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/

About it being treated early.

Mary, if you have any inkling you may have been bitten, get medical attention asap. However, you also need to know that it depends on where you live and how the doctors are mandated to treat Lyme's as to whether they'll treat you or not.

It's also important to know that the Lyme bacteria can remain dormant in your system for many years then suddenly become active during a time when you're experiencing great stress or low immune functioning.

Nothing is black and white when it comes to deer ticks.

One of the websites I checked, likened the lyme spiroketes and the disease to syphilis. As you said, without early treatment, it can be very serious.