TICKBORNE ILLNESSES
Tickborne diseases are transferred from ticks to humans through infected bites. Ticks live year-round but are more active in the warmer months of April to September. Ticks are found usually in grassy, woody or shrubby areas but can also be found in residential backyards. Clothing, camping gear, and pets are all possible areas where ticks can hide and be transferred. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the species of tick bite and disease it transmits. Common signs and symptoms are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and/or rash.
Common Signs & Symptoms:
- Fever/chills to varying degrees
- Aches/pains ranging from headaches & muscle aches to joint pain & fatigue
- Rash develops in 80% of infected persons, presentation depends on type of disease that was transmitted
- Symptoms can vary from mild to severe that requires hospitalization
Prevention:
Before going outdoors:
- Be aware of where ticks live: areas with high grass, leaf litter, woods & scrubs
- Treat clothing & gear with at least 0.5% permethrin prior to outdoor activity
- Use insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Before coming indoors:
- Check clothing for ticks, wash clothing with hot water & tumble dry
- Check your body using full length mirror. Ticks can hide in parts of the body such as: underarms, in or around ears, inside belly button, back of knees, hair/scalp, between legs, and around waistline
Common Diseases/Illnesses:
- Lyme disease: most common tickborne disease in the United States. Transmission is from infected tick bite to human by brown legged ticks. If left untreated, the infection could spread to nervous system, heart & joints. Rash that develops called erythema migrans or target lesion/bull’s eye rash could be used to diagnose disease
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): Serious illness that could be deadly if not treated early. Transmission through infected bite from dog tick, rocky mountain tick, or brown dog tick. Early sign & symptoms could be non-specific such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. Rash develops 2-4 days after fever begins. 10% of patients do not develop rash at all. Rash could present as red splotches or pinpoint dots
- Tick paralysis: rare disease caused by toxins in tick saliva. Symptoms could include acute flaccid paralysis along with other neurological symptoms such as confusion. Once tick is removed, symptoms could resolve within 24 hours
Treatment:
- If you find an attached tick, remove as soon as possible correctly using tweezers
- Grasp tick part closest to the skin and pull with even pressure upwards
- Cleanse skin with rubbing alcohol, soap and water
- Monitor signs and symptoms, contact your healthcare provider if you develop fever or rash after tick removal
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
https://medlineplus.gov/tickbites.html
Author
Dr. Thomas J. Purgason, M.D., FACP, PA
