Living with Lyme in Vermont

Vermont is a high-risk area for Lyme disease, so it is important that we work together to increase awareness and improve diagnosis and treatment. 

Digital Engagement Strategist Cass Lang was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease after a late-night trip to the emergency room to address chest pain and heart palpitations. “I never considered Lyme as a possible explanation,” she says. “Especially because I don’t remember ever being bitten by a tick.”

It was a combination of heart and mental health concerns that triggered her doctor to order a blood test for the tick-borne illness. “If you’re not feeling yourself and can’t figure out why… it might be a good time to test for Lyme,” says Cass.

Facts About Lyme

• Lyme disease is mostly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick. 
• Many people with Lyme disease do not recall being bitten by a tick. Symptoms can sometimes take weeks or even months to appear.
• The first symptom of Lyme in most people is a rash. The rash is frequently accompanied by flu-like symptoms including fatigue and headaches. View a full list of symptoms. 
• About 20 percent of people have flu-like symptoms only (no rash) or have no symptoms at all.
• It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you suspect you have been infected. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause more serious symptoms, such as joint pain, heart palpitations, and nervous system problems. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are crucial for a full recovery.

Lyme Disease in Vermont

According to the Vermont Department of Health, the number of tickborne illnesses in Vermont commonly tops 400 confirmed cases per year. 

Because many Vermonters enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and hunting, we are at increased risk of encountering ticks. While it is possible to be exposed to Lyme in any county, our southern-most counties are at the highest risk.

Preventing Lyme Disease

The only way to prevent Lyme is to prevent tick bites. If you live in Vermont and spend time outside, you must be vigilant about ticks. This includes wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, and long socks, using insect repellent that contains DEET, and checking your body and pets for ticks after spending time outside. 

Read more about Preventing Tick Bites

Coinfections of Lyme

Ticks can transmit multiple infections in a single bite, which means that someone who is bitten by a tick infected with Lyme disease may also be at risk for coinfections. The risk of coinfections of Lyme disease in Vermont is increased by the fact that the state is home to a high number of deer ticks that carry multiple illnesses. 

Common coinfections and their symptoms: 

• Anaplasmosis: fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.
• Babesiosis: fever, chills, fatigue, and anemia.
• Bartonella: fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and confusion.
• Ehrlichiosis: fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.
• Powassan virus: fever, headache, and vomiting, and in some cases can lead to severe neurological symptoms.

In addition to Lyme, Cass was diagnosed with Bartonella as a coinfection. “This explained a lot of the mental health-related symptoms I was feeling, including brain fog,” says Cass. “I’m so grateful that my doctor was able to catch this.” 

Cass was prescribed a treatment of antibiotics to address both Lyme and Bartonella and is hopeful that she will feel better by summer. “I will definitely be approaching my outdoor activities with far more caution this year,” she says. 

Lyme disease and its coinfections are serious health concerns that can have lasting effects. By taking precautions when spending time outdoors and being aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease, Vermonters can reduce their risk of infection. Continued efforts to increase awareness and improve diagnosis and treatment will be crucial in the fight against Lyme.