School Nurse

• A Message from the School Nurse
• Seasonal Medical Alert

A Message from the School Nurse Meg Belding, RN

The physical and mental health and wellness of our students is a primary interest at The Calais School. 

Seasonal Medical Alert

Warm Weather is Here and so are the Ticks!

Ticks in General

• There are two types of ticks in our area. The Deer Tick, or black-legged tick, is about the size of a poppy seed or pin head. While it is called a Deer Tick, it is most common on mice and chipmunks but also found on birds and reptiles. This tick can transmit Lyme disease to humans and animals during feeding, when they insert their mouth parts into the skin of a host and slowly take in the nutrient-rich blood of the host.
• The Wood Tick, or dog tick, is the size of a watermelon seed. These ticks can sometimes transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever but these diseases are extremely rare in our area.

Lyme disease what is it?

• Lyme disease is a bacterium carried by a Deer Tick. It has become the most common tick-borne illness in the United States. The risk of Lyme disease following a recognized deer tick bite is estimated to be 1%.

How do you get it?

• When the tick bites a person the bacterium is transferred from the tick to that person. The bite is painless and does not itch so ticks may go unnoticed for a few days.
• Ticks are known to live in woody areas. If you or your pet travel through a grassy or woody areas the deer tick can jump on you or your pet in its effort to find a host.
• Please note, do not panic only about 1% of all Deer Ticks carry Lyme disease. Inspection and removing ticks promptly may be the best prevention.

How do I know if I have been bitten by a Deer Tick?

• The majority of cases of Lyme disease start with a bull's eye rash ("erythema migrans") at the site of the tick bite. The rash can occur days to weeks (typically 7-10 days) after a tick bite. Treatment with antibiotics is indicated if this rash appears. Flu-like symptoms may accompany the rash, including: fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue.
• A doctor may take a blood test. Lyme antibodies are present in the blood of an infected person.

How is Lyme disease treated?

• Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.

What precautions can I take to decrease my chances of being bit by a Deer Tick?

• Apply a tick repellant as directed. If you own a pet have your pet wear a tick/flea color or apply a topical agent as directed.
• When walking through grassy, woody areas wear high socks if you are wearing shorts. If you are wearing pants tuck the ends of your pant legs into your socks.
• Check yourself for ticks after your hike/walk.
• Take a shower and wash your clothes after your hike.

How do I remove a tick if I find one on my pet or myself?

• With a tweezers remove the tick at the site of the bite. Put the tick in a plastic bag with a wet cotton ball and bring it to your doctor to analysis.

For more information about Lyme disease go on the web to American Lyme Disease Foundation: www.aldf.com

 (Back to Top)