[at-l] Lyme disease question.

[atl@xzlzx.com (Richard)]

Hi:

There was an entry in the Mt. Algo (Kent, CT) register this past year about
a thruhiker who got sick and was taken to a doctor who treated him for Lyme.
It definitely can happen on the trail.  Both my wife and I have gotten Lyme
in the past two years.  We live in Western CT and I section hike the AT in
CT-VT, but have no reason to think that's where I got it.  We had clear
symptoms (bulls-eye rash) and got treated immediately with doxycycline.  My
wife had flu-like symptoms, I had none other than the rash.  Neither of us
apparently have long-term effects.

The vaccine apparently is not an ideal solution.  It is reportedly only 70%
effective and there are the usual reports of side-effects.  YMMV.

Richard
ATsomeday


----- Original Message -----
From: "Orange Bug" <orangebug74@yahoo.com>
To: "Tom Mantooth" <tomman@attbi.com>; "at-l" <AT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 7:26 AM
Subject: Re: [at-l] Lyme disease question.


> I don't know anyone who got it on the AT. It is more commonly
> contracted in your back yard.
>
> The vaccine is quite controversial regarding expense, possible side
> effects and efficacy. Prevention of Lyme disease also leads to
> prevention of other tick borne diseases - such as Rock Mountain Spotted
> Fever.
>
> You are correct about the problems in scheduling the vaccine.
>
> Bill...
>
> --- Tom Mantooth <tomman@attbi.com> wrote:
> > My question is has anyone had the vaccine?  Does anyone feel it is
> > necessary?  Do you know of any one who had caught lyme disease on
> > the AT?
> >
>
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