Lyme disease strikes again in McHenry County

Where's a silver bullet when you need one?

McHenry County recently discovered its seventh case of Lyme disease, an ailment that comes from ticks.

The case was reported last month by a resident removing weeds and tall grass but without protection, said Debra Quackenbush, a health department spokeswoman, adding she did not know what town the resident hails from.

This resident's instance marks the only time Lyme disease was found within the county this year, Quackenbush said.

The remaining six cases came from residents who contracted it from outside the county, she said.

In all, nine cases of tick-bourne illnesses have been discovered in McHenry County this year.

While seven cases involved Lyme disease, one involved Rocky Mountain spotted fever and the other was Ehrlichiosis.

"With tick-bourne illnesses, they can happen anywhere at anytime," she said. "This can happen in your own backyard, which apparently happened to this individual."

Symptoms for tick-related illnesses generally show up between three and 30 days after the bug bites and include vomiting, a bull's-eye rash, a fever and muscle pain.

Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics.

Left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart and nervous system.

If you remove the pin-head-sized parasites with tweezers and wash its bite within 24 hours, your chances of getting sick are greatly reduced.

"Time is of the essence there," Quackenbush said.

Tick season runs spring through early fall.

To safeguard yourself and your children against ticks, officials suggest that you:

• Avoid areas with tall grass, weeds and leaf litter.

• Apply insect repellent that contains the chemical DEET to your clothes.

• Wear long pants, shirts and light-colored clothes so you can easily see the tiny buggers.

• Keep your lawn well maintained.

• Regularly check family members and pets for ticks.