"This is a modern roadmap for getting a correct diagnosis of Lyme Disease, building on lessons learned by generations of Lyme advocates. People suffering from 'long haul' symptoms due to other diseases will, unfortunately, recognize this medical and political landscape." -- Jim Wilson, President, Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation

Lyme disease has been steadily on the rise since the 1990s, and the threat is expected to grow as warmer global temperatures potentially prolong the tick season. Recent estimates suggest that approximately 475,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the United States (as noted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website) and the Government of Canada reported 1,487 cases in 2018. Lyme, if not treated early, can develop into a debilitating disease, with symptoms that can be felt for months or even years. Lyme Disease, Ticks and You is an easy-to-follow and essential guide to understanding, detecting and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Dr. Shelley Ball, a trained freshwater insect ecologist, is a long-term Lyme sufferer who has been infected multiple times, including with various other tick-borne diseases. Drawing from years of experience advocating for her own health, Dr. Ball has gathered together the information and resources the reader needs to not only understand the science, prevent tick bites and recognize Lyme, but also get treatment for this complex and often misdiagnosed disease. Chapters include:

• Chapter 2: What You Need to Know about Ticks and Lyme Disease
• Chapter 3: A Brief Biology of Lyme Disease
• Chapter 4: How Can I Reduce the Risk of a Tick Bite?
• Chapter 5: What If I'm Bitten?
• Chapter 6: Treating Lyme and Co-Infections

Lyme Disease, Ticks and You is capped off with an extensive list of references and resources that will further equip each reader with the information they need to deal with ticks, Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Shelley Ball (PhD) is a scientist and the Founder and President of Biosphere Environmental Education, a social enterprise focused on connecting people with nature. In addition to being a passionate spokesperson for science, she is an avid photographer with a focus on nature and conservation photography. Shelley lives in Westport, Ontario, a hot spot for black-legged (deer) ticks.

Shelley Ball's profile page

Written to be thoroughly accessible to lay readers and health professionals alike, Lyme Disease, Ticks and You: A Guide to Navigating Tick Bites, Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Infections lives up to its title as an invaluable reference and resource about Lyme disease and other tick-borne maladies... A "must-have" for anyone who lives in tick country or engages in activities like outdoors hiking that have risk of tick bites, and is a welcome addition to public library Health and Medicine collections.

Midwest Book Review

A primer for those who need to access the fundamentals of Lyme disease and other Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs), quickly. Shelley wanted to write a book that could help others diagnosis and treat Lyme and other TBDs. The book does just that... This is an important read.

Explore Magazine

The book is both personal and scientific, immensely readable and well-illustrated... It has a permanent place on my bookshelf as a valuable resource. For the benefit of yourself, your family and your pets, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

Gardener's Magazine

An excellent overview for all aspects of Lyme Disease... This book serves as a really great crash course for anyone interested in many of the basics of Lyme Disease and ticks... I highly recommend this book to any naturalist, student, or person getting into the outdoors for work or pleasure who does not know much about Lyme Disease and staying safe while in tick country.

Canadian Field-Naturalist

With ticks and the diseases they bring becoming increasingly common, Lyme Disease, Ticks and You is an important read. Highly recommended!

Toronto.com

Readers who have heard of Lyme disease may be surprised to find that it is still largely underdiagnosed and undertreated due to an ongoing lack of information about the disease, making consumer knowledge about it even more essential, to augment physician approaches. From keeping a symptom diary and understanding habitats that encourage ticks to the biology of Lyme Disease and how it affects humans and animals alike, this is a primer that should be in every health collection -- especially rural libraries.

Donovan's Literary Services

Essential reading for anyone who spends time outdoors in Eastern Ontario.

Ottawa Citizen

In her important and much-needed guide, Ball covers the following topics (and more): what is Lyme disease, the biology of Lyme disease, how ticks feed and spread disease, tick habitat, reducing tick bites, checking for ticks, removing ticks, symptoms of Lyme disease, diagnosing Lyme disease and treating Lyme disease. With ticks and the diseases they bring becoming increasingly common, Lyme Disease, Ticks and You is an important read.

Lake Wah Wash Kesh Conservation Association Newsletter