Loudoun Lyme 5K Raises Awareness About Regional Epidemic

Home to a considerable number of Lyme’s disease cases, Loudoun County is facing a Lyme disease epidemic, with 18 percent of the state’s reported cases occurring in the county. This weekend, the Loudoun Lyme 5K has been scheduled to raise awareness about the disease commonly transmitted by ticks.

“The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure to the blacklegged tick,” said Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department. “If exposure to ticks is unavoidable, reduce the risk of infection by the use of both protective clothing and tick repellents, checking the entire body for ticks daily and prompt removal of attached ticks." 

Ticks tend to live in leafy areas in shady forest environments such as tall weeds, grass, woodpiles, rock piles, stonewalls and brush alongside forest trails. People can get infected anywhere in the county where ticks live. In Virginia, more cased typically occur in June than any other month, according to Goodfriend. 

"We live in tick country, and everyone should know about this disease and the symptoms, which can be disguised as other illnesses," said Marie Pfancuff, RN, BSN, of the Parish Nurse Program at Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church.

Signs of infection occur three to 30 days after the infecting tick bite and may include a bulls-eye rash, muscle and joint aches, fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes. The bulls-eye rash, officially known as erythema migrans, is the most distinct symptom of Lyme disease that physicians look for during diagnosis. However, only about half of all infected patients experience the telltale rash. The more general symptoms during the early stages of the disease can be attributed to many other illnesses, making an accurate diagnosis difficult.

"It's critical to learn what Lyme disease can look like in later stages,” said Kathy Meyer, a Virginia Lyme Task Force member. “Many people, too often children, never see the tick or notice a rash. Later on, when they become ill, doctors may not think of Lyme’s.”

Symptoms that occur one to four months after an infectious tick bite may include severe headaches, shooting pains, neurological problems such as facial palsy and meningitis, or heart problems such as heart block. Symptoms that may arise months, or even years, after an infectious tick bite include severe arthritis, swelling of large joints and neurologic disorders.

To drive awareness and to raise money to help find a cure for Lyme disease, the National Conference Center will be hosting the first . Besides the main race, the event features a shorter family walk and children’s activities. In addition, sponsors will provide an information fair to educate people about Lyme disease, its causes, symptoms and treatments.

Steve Gotschi, the owner of DryHome Roofing & Siding, came up with the concept of the Loudoun Lyme 5K after watching his wife and many other friends battle the disease. Proceeds benefit the research and educational initiatives of a reputable, local nonprofit dedicated to fighting Lyme.

The Lyme 5K is expected to draw more than 500 runners and walkers of all ages, as well as numerous Lyme disease experts from the National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association, the Loudoun County Health Department and the Western Loudoun Lyme Support Group.