The ticks in Columbia County often carry and transmit the pathogens that cause Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. We ask all guests to use a tick repellant when walking around outside. The following links provide information about the ticks and the diseases they transmit.
The resources say the tick must be actually attached for some time to transmit the pathogen. Symptoms vary a lot between people, so be aware of the spectrum of signs and symptoms.
If you have any of the signs of the tick-borne diseases, you should see a doctor right away and get treatment. If you live where Lyme disease is not so prevalent, then be very clear with the doctor that you have been in this county and may have had a tick bite.
Dogs also get Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases very easily, another good reason not to bring your canine friend to PoHo.
NY State Dept. of Health has a site with a number of useful liinks.
What are the symptoms of Lyme Disease?
May develop within a few days to a month after the tick bite.
May include: in about half or more of the cases, a slowly expanding rash usually at the site of the tick bite. The rash usually appears either as a solid red expanding rash or a central spot surrounded by clear skin that is in turn ringed by an expanding red rash (looks like a bull’s eye). On light colored skin, the rash appears reddish; a dark, bruise-like appearance is more common on dark colored skin. Sometimes multiple rashes appear and they can be found anywhere on the body.
Other common symptoms, with or without the rash, are flu-like, and may include fatigue, headache, neck stiffness, pain or stiffness in muscles or joints, swollen glands, slight fever, and chills.
May develop within weeks, months or even years after the tick bite in untreated patients.
May include: nervous system problems (including meningitis, headaches, paralysis of facial muscles, trouble concentrating and loss of memory), arthritis (swelling and pain, usually in the large joints, such as the knee) and heart abnormalities (including irregular heart beat, palpitations and heart block).