Did you know that up to 50% of patients may not know of a prior tick bite when they present with Lyme disease symptoms? As a pediatric-focused nurse practitioner or other pediatric provider, you are a trusted front-line resource for Lyme disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment for patients and their families.
While most common in Northeastern, mid-Atlantic and North Central states, the locations where ticks are found continues to spread. The risk of Lyme disease may also be increased in areas that border high-incidence states. Ticks bite year-round but are most active April-September. While adult ticks are the size of a sesame seed, immature or nymphal ticks are tiny and only the size of a poppy seed. Most humans are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease through the bites of nymphal ticks, which are harder to see.