Lyme Disease, Ticks and You: A Guide to Navigating Tick Bites, Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Infections

This is a modern roadmap for getting a correct diagnosis of Lyme Disease, building on lessons learned by generations of Lyme advocates. People suffering from 'long haul' symptoms due to other diseases will, unfortunately, recognize this medical and political landscape. -- Jim Wilson, President, Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation

Lyme disease has been steadily on the rise since the 1990s, and the threat is expected to grow as warmer global temperatures potentially prolong the tick season. Recent estimates suggest that approximately 475,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the United States (as noted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website) and the Government of Canada reported 1,487 cases in 2018. Lyme, if not treated early, can develop into a debilitating disease, with symptoms that can be felt for months or even years. Lyme Disease, Ticks and You is an easy-to-follow and essential guide to understanding, detecting and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Dr. Shelley Ball, a trained freshwater insect ecologist, is a long-term Lyme sufferer who has been infected multiple times, including with various other tick-borne diseases. Drawing from years of experience advocating for her own health, Dr. Ball has gathered together the information and resources the reader needs to not only understand the science, prevent tick bites and recognize Lyme, but also get treatment for this complex and often misdiagnosed disease. Chapters include:

• Chapter 2: What You Need to Know about Ticks and Lyme Disease
• Chapter 3: A Brief Biology of Lyme Disease
• Chapter 4: How Can I Reduce the Risk of a Tick Bite?
• Chapter 5: What If I'm Bitten?
• Chapter 6: Treating Lyme and Co-Infections

Lyme Disease, Ticks and You is capped off with an extensive list of references and resources that will further equip each reader with the information they need to deal with ticks, Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Shelley Ball (PhD) is a scientist and the Founder and President of Biosphere Environmental Education, a social enterprise focused on connecting people with nature. In addition to being a passionate spokesperson for science, she is an avid photographer with a focus on nature and conservation photography. Shelley lives in Westport, Ontario, a hot spot for black-legged (deer) ticks.