Lyme Disease Quiz

1. According to the CDC, Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne, infectious disease in the United States. (A vector-borne disease is one that is transmitted to people by blood-sucking insects and arachnids such as mosquitoes, fleas and ticks)

True

False

True. The number of cases reported annually has increased nearly 25-fold since national surveillance began in 1982. The CDC estimates that there are 25,000 new cases a month across the country.

Explanation

True. The number of cases reported annually has increased nearly 25-fold since national surveillance began in 1982. The CDC estimates that there are 25,000 new cases a month across the country.

2. The best way to remove a tick that's embedded in your skin is:

Burn it with a match

Pour salt on it

Ice it

Use tweezers

Use tweezers. It is best if they are fine point, then grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull it straight out using firm, steady pressure.

Explanation

Use tweezers. It is best if they are fine point, then grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull it straight out using firm, steady pressure.

3. If Lyme disease is not caught early, it can progress into a very serious illness with symptoms including:

Arthritis

Neurological disorders (confusion, dizziness, short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate)

Numbness or tingling in extremities

All of the above

All of the above. If left untreated, late-stage Lyme can become a debilitating disease that affects virtually every system of the body. Like Syphilis, Lyme disease has been called the great imitator because the symptoms are so broad and can vary greatly from patient to patient.

Explanation

All of the above. If left untreated, late-stage Lyme can become a debilitating disease that affects virtually every system of the body. Like Syphilis, Lyme disease has been called the great imitator because the symptoms are so broad and can vary greatly from patient to patient.

4. What is the best way to prevent a tick bite?

Use insect repellant with 20%-30% DEET

Wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into your socks when walking in the woods or in overgrown grass

Check your body regularly for ticks, especially around your armpits, groin, scalp, belt line, neck and head

All of the above

The best way to prevent a tick bite is to take multiple precautions. Using insect repellant with DEET can help repel ticks. Wearing long sleeves and pants tucked into socks can prevent ticks from reaching the skin. Checking the body regularly for ticks, especially in common hiding spots like armpits, groin, scalp, belt line, neck, and head, can help remove ticks before they bite. Therefore, all of the above options are effective ways to prevent tick bites.

Explanation

The best way to prevent a tick bite is to take multiple precautions. Using insect repellant with DEET can help repel ticks. Wearing long sleeves and pants tucked into socks can prevent ticks from reaching the skin. Checking the body regularly for ticks, especially in common hiding spots like armpits, groin, scalp, belt line, neck, and head, can help remove ticks before they bite. Therefore, all of the above options are effective ways to prevent tick bites.

5. What are the most common early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease?

Itching and swelling of extremities

Tremors and dizziness

Expanding reddish rash and flu-like symptoms

None of the above

Expanding reddish rash and flu-like symptoms. Some, but not all, patients develop what is commonly referred to as a “bulls-eye” rash as the bacteria spreads from the point of contact. Other early symptoms can be mild and easily overlooked. They include joint pains, chills, fever and fatigue.

Explanation

Expanding reddish rash and flu-like symptoms. Some, but not all, patients develop what is commonly referred to as a “bulls-eye” rash as the bacteria spreads from the point of contact. Other early symptoms can be mild and easily overlooked. They include joint pains, chills, fever and fatigue.

6. Tick bites:

Often sting

Often itch

Usually can't be felt

Usually can't be felt. Ticks numb your skin with their saliva at the point of attachment. Therefore, their bites often go unnoticed.

Explanation

Usually can't be felt. Ticks numb your skin with their saliva at the point of attachment. Therefore, their bites often go unnoticed.

7. Lyme disease is transmitted to people by infected ticks. Ticks are most active in:

Spring

Summer

Fall

Spring and Summer

Summer and Fall

Spring and Summer. Ticks are most active between March and October. They are hardest to spot in the spring when they’re in their tiny nymph stage. Onset of the disease is most common in June and July but cases have been reported during every month of the year, even during the dead of winter.

Explanation

Spring and Summer. Ticks are most active between March and October. They are hardest to spot in the spring when they’re in their tiny nymph stage. Onset of the disease is most common in June and July but cases have been reported during every month of the year, even during the dead of winter.

8. The harsh winter we had likely reduced the tick population

True

False

False (probably). According to local experts and recent studies, exceptionally cold snowy winters have little, if any, effect on the tick population.

Explanation

False (probably). According to local experts and recent studies, exceptionally cold snowy winters have little, if any, effect on the tick population.

9. Lyme disease can be diagnosed with a simple blood test

True

False

The above statement is highly controversial

The above statement is highly controversial. Doctors can sometimes make a diagnosis simply by observing the bulls-eye rash. If there is no rash or your doctor wants further confirmation of the diagnosis, a blood test may be performed, but the accuracy of the test has been called into question by many Lyme organizations.

Explanation

The above statement is highly controversial. Doctors can sometimes make a diagnosis simply by observing the bulls-eye rash. If there is no rash or your doctor wants further confirmation of the diagnosis, a blood test may be performed, but the accuracy of the test has been called into question by many Lyme organizations.

10. What does an engorged deer tick look like?

Males are dark brown to black, and females have a reddish body with a black spot just behind the head

A raisin

Greyish body with a black head and legs

Greyish body with a black head and legs. Deer ticks that are not engorged look like the description in choice A (black or red with a black spot), but once they become engorged, their entire body takes on a grey hue.

Explanation

Greyish body with a black head and legs. Deer ticks that are not engorged look like the description in choice A (black or red with a black spot), but once they become engorged, their entire body takes on a grey hue.