Even superb athletes like Christine Rampone can fall victim to Lyme disease

Posted by Mosquito Squad

July 28, 2011

With more and more cases of Lyme disease being reported every day around the country your first assumption is that those becoming infected are among those who are vulnerable. We tend to view the vulnerable as the elderly, the very young and those whose immune and health have already been compromised by a past illness. When it comes to Lyme disease we are all vulnerable. The only prerequisite for becoming infected with Lyme disease is being bitten by the wrong tick, the tick that is carrying this disease. Lyme disease can affect healthy, vibrant and active individuals, even athletes, whom are regarding as some of the most physically fit and strong in our society.

Case in point, Christine Rampone is a healthy, vibrant, 36-year old mother of two who also happens to be the captain of the U.S. women’s soccer team. Did I mention Christine has Lyme disease? Christine is the teams oldest member but in spite of that she has the number one fitness level on her team of 21 players.  Some would say  she is the “poster girl” for physical fitness. Bearing that in mind, how could someone of Christine’s physique, stamina and health become infected with Lyme disease? Lyme disease doesn’t discriminate, because ticks choose their prey at random, sometimes it is as simple as being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Lyme disease is a sometimes debilitating inflammatory disease that is spread through the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria which causes the disease. Lyme disease can cause fever, fatigue, muscle pain, stiffness in the neck area, headaches and sometimes a bulls-eye rash at the site of the bite. These are the first line of symptoms that usually caus individuals to stand up and take notice that something is wrong. In Christine’s case she started to notice she was exhausted last year, and in December she decided to have it checked out. She underwent testing and was diagnosed with Lyme disease shortly thereafter. Christine still continued to train during this period, because she had to do what needed to be done, despite suffering from the disease. She has been on medication to treat the disease and despite her share of bad days, she forges on. She is starting to feel better, but her numbers are still the same. Anyone who follows soccer knows just what an unbelievable player Christine is. She is one tough cookie and inspiration to us all.

If Lyme disease is left untreated and undiagnosed for a significant amount of time it can affect the heart, brain and joints of the sufferer. If caught early Lyme disease responds to antibiotics in most cases very well. When the disease is left untreated for a period of time it can turn into Chronic Persistent Lyme disease and can affect the skin, muscles, cartilage, brain and nervous system of the sufferer. Patients who suffer from the disease in it’s Chronic form have suffered for years and many lives have been impacted by this horrible disease.

Your first line of defense is to decrease the chances of being bitten by a tick. People with active lifestyles  often spend a great deal of time outdoors. Preventing the tick bite is key to avoiding infection. You can reduce the chances of coming into contact with a tick by wearing light-colored clothing when enjoying outdoor activities, this makes it easier to spot and remove the tick before it has a chance to bite. Frequent checks of yourself, your family and your pets. Keeping your yard and property free of debris, high grass or brush,having your property treated by a licensed professional and  making certain to shower in a timely fashion after any outdoor activities. The most important thing is to also report any changes in your health as soon as you notice them, time is of the essence when diagnosing and treating Lyme disease.

Mosquito Squad offers tick control with our safe and effective barrier sprays which are applied at scheduled intervals throughout the tick season. Our barrier treatment will kill ticks on contact. Mosquito Squad also uses tick-tubes to prevent deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease. These tick tubes kill the tick at its source before it has a chance to spread infection through its bite.

Take heed that ticks choose their prey at random. When Lyme disease moves into the world of our beloved sports celebrities, whom are at the peak of health, it is proof positive we are all at risk for this and other deadly tick-borne diseases. To find out more about tick control, abatement  and prevention contact Mosquito Squad today.