ALDF Launches the First iPhone Application on Lyme Disease
A Lyme disease application for iPhones has been developed by ALDF in collaboration with Yale School of Public Health and US Centers for Disease Control. “Lyme Disease Tick Map” became available on the Apple iTunes store on April 30, 2010 amid outstanding reviews.
The application includes information on the abundance of infected ticks at the location of the user (within the US) as determined by GPS. If ticks are determined to be present, the user is given a list of precautions to avoid tick-bites. A tick identification chart is provided with life-size photos of black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks) so that each life stage can be determined, since some stages cannot transmit Lyme disease. If bitten by a tick, instructions on how to properly remove a tick are provided along with a narrated video. The application also provides life-sized photos of ticks at various stages of blood engorgement and advises patients to seek medical attention if a removed tick is determined to have been attached for 48 hours or longer. Lyme disease can be transmitted after 48 hours of feeding by an infected tick and most physicians will treat such patients with a short course of antibiotics to prevent Lyme disease. A panel of skin rash photos characteristic of Lyme disease, along with other symptoms, prompts users to seek immediate medical attention if they are infected. A physician locater finds doctors nearest to the user, again using GPS location, and provides the phone number and directions to each physician’s office.
Content for the application was provided by Lyme disease researchers at Yale University in cooperation with the US Centers for Disease Control, the American, Academy of Pediatrics, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Intuwin, an applications development company based in New York City. It is available through the Apple iTunes Store for $1.99. Proceeds will be used for support the research and education mission of ALDF
Click here to purchase Lyme Disease Tick Map iPhone App
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