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New York Medical College Launches Opening of Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center for Summer Season

“Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, and if not treated properly, could result in significant illness,”

Valhalla, N.Y., May 28, 2015— In line with the official start of summer—peak Lyme disease season, New York Medical College (NYMC) today announced the seasonal opening of its Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center at 19 Bradhurst Avenue, Hawthorne, N.Y. Operating on a walk-in basis, the Center will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. through August.

The Center has had a long history serving the local community and greater tri-state area. Established in 1989 and headed by Gary P. Wormser, M.D., professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology and pharmacology, and vice chair of medicine for research and development at NYMC, the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center is staffed by experienced infectious diseases physicians and nurses with special expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of people with tick bites, early/acute Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis (Ehrlichiosis), and Babesiosis. To date, the Center has treated more than 10,000 patients.

“Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, and if not treated properly, could result in significant illness,” said Dr. Wormser. “Preventative measures, such as wearing long pants when walking through bushy areas, spraying exposed skin with insect repellent containing DEET and thoroughly checking oneself, children and pets for ticks, are always your best lines of defense against infection. But, if you do get bitten by a tick, it is important to safely remove it with tweezers and seek medical attention immediately.”

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. Infected ticks are found throughout New York State, including Westchester County. If left untreated, the disease can cause a number of health problems. Patients treated with antibiotics in the early stage of the infection usually recover rapidly and completely. The early symptoms of Lyme disease may be mild and easily missed.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease may include:

• an expanding circular rash at least 2 inches in size that may or may not look like a bull’s eye that usually occurs at the site of the tick bite
• headache
• fever/chills
• stiff neck
• pain in joints or muscles
• paralysis of facial muscles
• palpitations
• multiple rashes

If you experience any of these symptoms or would like to learn more about the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center, please visit www.nymc.edu/LDDC or call (914)-493-TICK. The Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center is open to patients 18 years of age and older who are either acutely ill or who have recently been bitten by a tick. Screenings for the Lyme disease rash are free, and most insurance is accepted, should a patient need further evaluation or treatment. Children under the age of 18 may be evaluated by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division of New York Medical College by calling (914) 493-8333.

About New York Medical College
Founded in 1860, NYMC is one of the oldest and largest health sciences universities in the country with more than 1,400 students, 1,300 residents and clinical fellows, nearly 3,000 faculty members, and 16,000 living alumni. The College, which joined the Touro College and University System in 2011, is located in Westchester County, New York, and offers advanced degrees from the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, and the School of Health Sciences and Practice. The College manages more than $36 million in research and other sponsored programs, notably in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, kidney disease, the neurosciences, disaster medicine, and vaccine development. With a network of affiliated hospitals that includes large urban medical centers, small suburban clinics and high-tech regional tertiary care facilities, NYMC provides a wide variety of clinical training opportunities throughout the tri-state region for medical students, residents, and other health providers.