Medications

Antibiotics are given to fight the infection. Take all of antibiotics, even when you're feeling better.

If you are taking medicines:

• Take the medicine as directed. Don’t change the amount or the schedule.
• Ask what side effects could occur. Report them to your doctor.
• Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
• Don’t share your prescription medicine.
• Medicines can be dangerous when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one medicine. This includes over-the-counter products and supplements.

Prevention

If you live in places where ticks are common:

• Wear light-colored clothing. This will make ticks easier to see.
• Tuck pant legs inside socks. This will keep ticks from crawling up under your pants.
• Use insect repellents with DEET on exposed skin. Look for repellants that can be used on your clothes.
• Check your body for ticks after coming in from outside.
• Check pets for ticks.

If you do find a tick on your body, remove it by:

• Using fine-tipped tweezers or protected fingers.
• Grasping tick as close to the top of the skin as you can.
• Pulling tick straight up with slow steady force.
• Disinfecting the bite site and washing your hands.
• Saving tick so it can be identified.