Lyme Disease

It has taken 18 years of being misdiagnosed, but local resident and business-owner Marsha Knicley, 64, of Hagerstown, can finally say she has Lyme disease. Those who know Knicley they would describe her as a smart and savvy businesswoman with a big personality and a big heart. Knicley has owned Sagittarius Salon & Spa in Hagerstown for 40 years. Yet behind the hairspray and glamor is a woman fighting to survive a debilitating disease. Lyme disease was first discovered in Lyme, Conn., in 1975, and it was there it found its name.

It has taken 18 years of being misdiagnosed, but local resident and business-owner Marsha Knicley, 64, of Hagerstown, can finally say she has Lyme disease . Those who know Knicley they would describe her as a smart and savvy businesswoman with a big personality and a big heart. Knicley has owned Sagittarius Salon & Spa in Hagerstown for 40 years. Yet behind the hairspray and glamor is a woman fighting to survive a debilitating disease. Lyme disease was first discovered in Lyme , Conn., in 1975, and it was there it found its name.

Washington County is seeing a high number of possible Lyme disease cases this year, and the Washington County Health Department is offering people tips on how to protect themselves from the disease that can cause symptoms ranging from fatigue to severe headaches. Since May, there have been 50 possible cases of Lyme disease, according to a health department news release. Health department spokesman Roderick MacRae said the reason health department officials refer to the number of Lyme disease cases as "possible" is because of how the disease is diagnosed.

Lyme disease is carried by an infected deer tick. You have to be bitten by an infected deer tick to contract the disease. Not all people who are bitten by a deer tick are infected, but you should still take precautions in areas where deer ticks live: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Q:What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease? A: Eighty percent of people bitten by an infected tick will get a rash.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer, Waynesboro WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Dr. Dennis McCullough, a Waynesboro veterinarian, said tests he has taken on more than 600 dogs this year show that Lyme disease is making its way into Franklin County. The disease is carried by tiny deer ticks and can be contracted by humans. Tri-State area health officials said that while the disease is rarely fatal to humans, it can lead to long-term illnesses. McCullough, of Waynesboro Veterinary Clinic, said he tested 638 dogs for Lyme disease this year.

As we enter into the peak of the vacation season and outdoors activities are at the highest level of the summer, Lyme disease once again becomes an issue. Reported cases of Lyme have been on a steady rise for many years now and Maryland is one of the states with a high level of growth. By the way, Lyme disease is name for the town of Lyme, Conn., where the disease was first identified. Lyme disease is a bacterial disease, caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged or deer tick.

The recent summer-like weather has more than just the cicadas active. If you spend much time in the field, you are quite likely to come home with a few unwanted guests - wood ticks or deer ticks. This raises concerns about Lyme disease, which is still quite common in this region and is showing up in humans and pets. As most people now know, Lyme disease is spread by ticks. Symptoms seem to vary, but are often described as "flu-like. " Lyme can also cause pain in various joints and, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Ways to prevent Lyme disease Recognize that when walking outside there is a chance of being exposed to ticks. Try to avoid those areas, but if that is not possible, tuck pants into socks. Spray insect repellent with DEET onto clothes and any exposed areas of skin when hiking or doing any activity where ticks might be found. When arriving home after being outdoors it is important to look carefully all over your body. Check all clothes and areas where hair grows on the body.

Now that the weather is starting to become nice, a lot of people are spending time outdoors enjoying activities such as hiking, biking and fishing. If you spend much time in the field, you have a very good chance of coming in contact with ticks - both wood ticks and deer ticks. This raises concerns about Lyme disease, which is very common in this area and is showing up in people and pets. Each spring, I receive a ton of press releases warning about the potential of Lyme disease.

wandaw@herald-mail.com WILLIAMSPORT - Gary Finster thought he was having a stroke. In late August 2002, the 51-year-old Williamsport resident was traveling on Interstate 81 on his way to visit a client in Chambersburg, Pa. "All of a sudden, the whole left side of my face just went numb," Finster said. "I lost control and I couldn't close my eyes. I couldn't blink my eyes. I couldn't talk and I was drooling out of the side of my mouth. " Finster drove himself to Washington County Hospital's emergency room, where Dr. George Long asked him to "try and make a full smile," he said.

Disease sufferer has request for smokers, businesses To the editor: This letter is for anyone familiar with multiple chemical sensitivity disease (MCSD) or fungal infections such as aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, etc. I acquired this sensitivity and fungus after contracting Lyme disease. The positive side is that I am still living; the negative is that I always have to be on the lookout for chemicals in everything. For example, cigarette smoke, mold, colognes, cleaning agents and deodorizers of any kind.

It has taken 18 years of being misdiagnosed, but local resident and business-owner Marsha Knicley, 64, of Hagerstown, can finally say she has Lyme disease . Those who know Knicley they would describe her as a smart and savvy businesswoman with a big personality and a big heart. Knicley has owned Sagittarius Salon & Spa in Hagerstown for 40 years. Yet behind the hairspray and glamor is a woman fighting to survive a debilitating disease. Lyme disease was first discovered in Lyme , Conn., in 1975, and it was there it found its name.

It has taken 18 years of being misdiagnosed, but local resident and business-owner Marsha Knicley, 64, of Hagerstown, can finally say she has Lyme disease. Those who know Knicley they would describe her as a smart and savvy businesswoman with a big personality and a big heart. Knicley has owned Sagittarius Salon & Spa in Hagerstown for 40 years. Yet behind the hairspray and glamor is a woman fighting to survive a debilitating disease. Lyme disease was first discovered in Lyme, Conn., in 1975, and it was there it found its name.

It's been more than five years since Michael Tomlin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis, made just before his 30th birthday, was two years in coming as other medical conditions were ruled out. Tomlin said it's a hard disease to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to Lyme disease and lupus. He said in 2005 his eyes “started acting up,” then the right side of his body went numb. It took four MRIs before the telltale MS lesions showed up. In some ways, the diagnosis was a positive turning point for Tomlin, 35. Since then, he's lost 50 pounds by eating healthier and making exercise a priority.

"Managing Your Property to Reduce Ticks" is the topic of a meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association. Norm Conrad will talk about ticks, Lyme disease and how to manage your property to reduce tick-human interactions. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg.  The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.

 Jenna Hansroth, 17, a Berkeley Springs High School senior and Miss Morgan County 2011, is creating a new way for girls to prepare for prom while saving money. A time of year anticipated by many high school girls, prom season is just about here. That's why Hansroth is hosting the Formal Flip, giving girls in the four-state region a place to sell, to donate or to buy used formal dresses in good condition. The Formal Flip will be Saturday, Jan 15, at the First United Methodist Church, 49 S. Green St. in Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

Washington County is seeing a high number of possible Lyme disease cases this year, and the Washington County Health Department is offering people tips on how to protect themselves from the disease that can cause symptoms ranging from fatigue to severe headaches. Since May, there have been 50 possible cases of Lyme disease, according to a health department news release. Health department spokesman Roderick MacRae said the reason health department officials refer to the number of Lyme disease cases as "possible" is because of how the disease is diagnosed.

KEEDYSVILLE -- Each morning, 75-year-old Bonnard Morgan heads out to the woods armed to the teeth against the blacklegged tick, an enemy barely the size of a penciled-in period. He covers his arms and legs with rubber boots and rubber gloves to block ticks' access to his flesh. The parts not covered in rubber are covered in light-colored cotton, enabling him to easily spot a rogue tick. All this in addition to a brimmed straw hat and good coating of bug spray. "These ticks, they try to eat me to pieces," Morgan says.

"In regards to the Smithsburg EMS incident of several years ago, I have a question - what has been done by the county emergency service system and the county government to insure that such a disgusting and outrageous incident never happens again?" - Hagerstown "What can you do with 50 years of mementos from Hagerstown High School? It's too good to throw away and a lot of memories. People like William Keesecker, who still plays with Municipal Band. Do I donate it to the school or what?

Health Fair FREDERICK, Md. -The Maranatha Community Church of God is hosting a Community Family Health Fair, "Staying Healthy at Any Age," Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Maranatha Community Church of God, 123 Byte Drive, Frederick, Md. Dr. Jacqueline Douge, Deputy Health Officer of the Frederick County Health Department will talk about women's issues, and heart disease in women. This presentation is based on the Frederick County Health Department's recent partnership with the Heart Truth campaign.