Tick-Borne Illnesses You Need to Watch Out For
By Sara Butler
It’s the season – for ticks. Yes, these gross little creatures are going to be big this year and may pose more of a danger to you and your family that just sucking your blood. Tick-borne illnesses are spreading like wildfire, but diseases such as Lyme disease that snatch up a lot of headlines shouldn’t be the only one you worry about. Here are some other tick-borne diseases that need to be on your radar this summer.
Powassan Virus
The other dangerous tick-borne disease you’ve never heard of is Powassan virus. It causes symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Weakness
- Speech difficulties
- Seizures
This virus can infect your central nervous system and result in serious complications such as encephalitis or meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that this virus has become more prevalent over the last decade, with the number of cases rising. If you get bit by a tick and have any of these symptoms, make sure you get medical care as soon as you can.
Other Diseases on Your Radar
There are a few other tick-borne illnesses you should be aware of since you can be bitten by a tick almost anywhere in the world. Other diseases passed through tick bites include:
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – This illness includes symptoms such as a sudden fever, headaches, rash, and muscle pain. Without treatment, this illness can be fatal.
- Ehrlichiosis – This disease can be carried by livestock such as dogs, horses, sheep, goats, and cattle. It causes swollen lymph nodes and fever.
- Babesiosis – This disease is transmitted by deer ticks. Symptoms include a headache, nonproductive cough, and extreme fatigue.
- Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis – This has become an increasingly prevalent reason for fever after a tick bite all over the United States. It can cause fever, malaise, and headache.
If You Find a Tick on You
If you’re planning on being outside, you should wear protective clothing to keep ticks off of you. If you find a tick on you, then it should be removed immediately with a pair of tweezers, taking care to pull it straight out if it’s embedded – never twist. It’s also advisable to save the tick in a bag or another container so it can be tested for disease by a medical professional.
You have to be diligent about ticks -- you never know where they might be lurking and what diseases they can be carrying!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
