All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Mon Health SJMH laboratory offers Lyme disease testing

WESTON, W.Va. — Living in West Virginia provides beautiful views and visits to the great outdoors in a matter of minutes. However, it is important to take the proper precautions when spending time outdoors.

Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital suggests that residents should be aware of the possibility of encountering deer ticks, which can cause Lyme disease.

According to the W.Va. Department of Health and Human Services, “Symptoms generally begin three to 30 days after the tick bite and include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain and swollen lymph nodes. In up to 80% of Lyme infections, a rash is one of the first symptoms, commonly referred to as a ‘bull’s eye’.”

If left untreated, the disease can cause life-long issues.

The SJMH Laboratory provides direct access testing for Lyme disease, allowing patients to be tested without an order from a healthcare provider.

SJMH Lab Director, Angela Cedeno, noted, “We are currently in the months with the highest numbers of new onset of Lyme disease in the area. We want to inform the public of our same day testing option. We perform both IgG and IgM, which differentiates between current and past infections, for only $30 which can provide comfort for concerned patients.”

Exposure to ticks can be avoided by wearing insect repellent, long sleeves and pants when outdoors. Individuals should be thoroughly checked for ticks after spending time outdoors focusing on areas including the neck, hair, back of the legs and back. Pets should also be checked for ticks after spending time outside.

In July 2019, there were 288 reported Lyme disease cases in West Virginia. In 2020 there have only been a handful of cases in the region. However, when Lyme disease goes undetected the long-term effects can be devastating. Early detection through laboratory testing can be critical when Lyme disease cannot be prevented.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Wesleyan finishes seventh in MEC Commissioners Cup standings

West Virginia Wesleyan finished seventh in the 2024-25 Mountain East Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings, while the University of Charleston captured its eighth consecutive and tenth overall title for all-around athletic excellence.
Summer basketball

Summer basketball league wraps up week one

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League completed its first week at West Virginia Wesleyan College, featuring high-scoring performances from Dalton Hamrick, Cooper Sanders, Derek Sevier, Manadji Tokindang, and Austin Upton.
BUHS Girls Soccer Feature Image

Kelley calls soccer camp a success, has sights on leading B-U girls program to new heights

Logan Kelley, newly named head coach of the Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc soccer team, helped oversee a successful youth camp and aims to bring stability and new achievements to the girls program.

Wesleyan professor collecting first-hand accounts, photos to commemorate 1985 flood

A West Virginia Wesleyan College professor and librarian are collecting first-hand stories and photos from the 1985 flood to create an anniversary exhibit preserving campus and community memories of the disaster.

Pizza shop worker arrested for using customer credit card info to gamble online

A pizza shop employee was arrested after allegedly taking a customer’s credit card information from a food order and using it to make unauthorized bets totaling $300 on an online gambling site.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur to hold blood drive on August 15

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur will host a blood and food drive on August 15 at the Event Center at Brushy Fork, offering incentives for blood donors.

Buckhannon Water Board Agenda: July 10, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Water Board’s agenda for its July 10, 2025, meeting has been released by My Buckhannon.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: July 10, 2025

Here is the agenda for the Upshur County Commission meeting scheduled for July 10, 2025.

Really Really Free Market and Community Potluck scheduled for Sunday, July 13

A community Really Really Free Market and potluck will be held Sunday, July 13, from 1–3 pm at Walnut and Chestnut streets, featuring free goods, services, food and opportunities to connect and volunteer.