Ticks and Lyme Disease

QUESTION: I've heard about a Lime disease that's spread by ticks. In the
warmer seasons I often have to pull ticks off my dog. Am I at risk of
contracting this disease? Tell me about the disease.
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ANSWER: The ticks that generally cling to dogs are different than the ticks
that cause Lyme Disease (it's spelled with a "Y"). Dog ticks are much larger
than the tiny ticks that lead to this illness.
Generally, the disease causing ticks cling to nonhuman hosts such as
deer, mice and birds, but dogs can sometimes act as hosts. Lyme disease was
first discovered in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut. Several members of one family
began suffering from fevers, stiff joints, and other symptoms. One of the
children was diagnosed as having juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Upon
researching the family's problems, the mother found that many residents in the
area were suffering from similar arthritic diseases--in almost epidemic
proportions. A doctor from the Centers for Disease Control investigated, and
true arthritis was ruled out. After several years of investigation, the deer
tick was finally pinpointed as the carrier of the disease. The very first
symptom for many victims of Lyme disease is a slow spreading rash surrounding
a dark bump. It may take a few weeks or even months after the tick bite for
other symptoms to appear. They include persistent fever, severe headaches and
disabling fatigue. Arthritis is only one of the serious complications of Lyme
disease. If untreated, Lyme disease can involve many organs of the body,
including the heart.
It's not the ticks on your dog you must worry about, but those that get
to you. After any session in the fields, caution dictates that you carefully
inspect both your animal and yourself (include clothing) to be sure you
haven't brought home more than you hunted for.