Rock Island Today

Illinois State Representative Daniel Swanson shared information regarding Lyme disease in a Facebook post published on May 8.

"Lyme is frequently misdiagnosed," Swanson wrote, adding a link to a Facebook post published by the Illinois Lyme Association on Sunday.

"Illinois Lyme Association is a non-profit organization that works hard to raise awareness of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases," the organization's Facebook description reads. "ILA will provide the public with information and education on protection, prevention, and the risk of tick bites."

Swanson was first sworn into the Illinois General Assembly on January 11, 2017. A retired Lieutenant Colonel, he enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard (IANG) on August 11, 1977, as a 63B Generator and Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. He was then chosen on March 1, 1980, to serve on an active-duty tour with the IANG. When not in Springfield during legislative sessions, Swanson works on his family farm with his father, Ron, his brother, Steve, his son, Matthew, and his nephew, Josh.

On April 19, Swanson filed House Resolution 0216, which marks May 2023 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. The resolution was placed on the Calendar Order of Resolutions on Wednesday.

According to WAND-TV, "Swanson told the House Health Care Licenses Committee Wednesday that 35% of deer ticks tested in Illinois test positive for Lyme Disease. He also noted that 66% of the ticks in Winnebago County are carriers for the disease."

"A ring-like red rash occurs in about 70 - 80 percent of cases and begins three days to 32 days after the bite of an infected tick," the Illinois Department of Public Health states. "The red rash at the bite site is circular and grows larger over a few days or a few weeks. In the center, the rash usually clears and has been described as resembling a bull's-eye. Generally, the rash is not painful. Often this rash is accompanied by one or more nonspecific symptoms: fatigue, chills and fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and joint and muscle pain. An allergic reaction to tick saliva can often occur at the site of the tick bite. Such allergic reactions, which are not a sign of Lyme disease, usually occur within 72 hours after the tick bite, usually do not expand beyond 2 inches in diameter like the Lyme rash and disappear within a few days."