Ahhh, summertime… trips to the beach, cold lemonade, and... Lyme Disease? Unfortunately, summer is the time of year for this type of infection and – even worse – it is very prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic, including Northern Virginia.

Most people associate Lyme Disease with a "bull’s eye" rash, but more than half of those infected never show this symptom. Instead, they might get conjunctivitis, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, fever, chills, swollen glands, neck stiffness, facial nerve paralysis or motor tics. Symptoms can appear as early as three days after the bite or as long as months afterwards. Sometimes, there is no known history of a tick bite.

The Deer Tick is responsible for transmitting Lyme Disease. It must remain attached for at least 48 hours for the disease to be introduced into the person. Distinguishing between the types of ticks helps in deciding if Lyme Disease is really the correct diagnosis. Ticks are most likely to be encountered during the spring and summer months, when people are outdoors more often. They also tend to be more concentrated where deer and field mice live. It is important to do a thorough "tick check" on your child every time he goes into an area that might have ticks. Check behind the ears, scalp, in skin creases, and even in the private areas. Rapid removal is critical if you want to prevent someone from getting the infection.

Home remedies like using alcohol or acetone to make the tick loosen its grip might not work since ticks breathe only about once an hour. The best way to remove them is to try to grab hold of the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull it straight out with a firm but constant motion. "Yanking" it out quickly may leave mouthparts still embedded in the skin. After removal, apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent secondary infection.

The best way to avoid getting Lyme Disease is to avoid being bitten by the infected tick in the first place. Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be spotted before they latch on. Tuck your child's pant legs into his socks so that ticks can't easily get under his clothes. Use appropriate insect repellant when available and avoid known infested areas.

If you suspect that you or your child may have Lyme Disease, contact your doctor, who will treat you with antibiotics.

Dr. Bill is a pediatrician at Capital Area Pediatrics in the Countryside Shopping Center in Sterling. For more information about Dr. Bill and/or his practice, visit www.capitalareapediatrics.com.