The spring is on full blast in Pennsylvania and so are the ticks. Spending time outdoors or participating in your favorite activity could be a tad bit harder now. The ticks which carry the deadly Lyme disease are on the rise.
Residents and tourists in Pennsylvania have been encouraged and warned to avoid ticks by following precautionary measures. We must be aware to avoid ticks and the disease they carry.
Ticks typically are found in tall grass, brush and wooded areas. Although, they are known to survive in any habitat. Deer ticks or Blacklegged tocks are the most common carrier of Lyme Disease. Ticks affect humans all year around but mostly during the spring.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a serous bacterial infection. They are carried by ticks if they have bitten any infected mice or deer. Infected ticks are known to transfer this transfer this disease to humans and their pets through their bite.
Being around pets that may have ticks, or walking in tall grasses could put you at a high risk of getting infected by ticks and contracting Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is a lot more common than you may think, which is why it is important to learn about its signs and symptoms and precautionary measures to avoid it.
Lyme Disease: Symptoms
In several cases, a tick remains attached to the human for at least 24 hours to contract the bacterial infection. It is also important to note that not everyone who was bitten contracts Lyme disease. The symptoms likely take several days or weeks to appear.
The symptoms of Lyme Disease are similar to those of the flu. They can include:
- Rashes appearing at the place of bite (typically a red circle with a bull’s eye appearance)
- Feeling ill in general
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle or joint pain
- Stiff neck
Lyme Disease: Prevention
You need to follow some very basic steps to avoid contracting Lyme Disease.
Precautionary measures include:
- Avoid areas with high grasses and bushes. Try to walk on clearer trails.
- Wear lightweight, protective clothing while going out.
- Use bug repellent with 20-30 percent DEET on all the exposed skin.
- Check all body surfaces properly for any ticks. Check especially your armpits and the groinal areas.
In case, you think you may have been bitten by a tick and are experiencing similar symptoms of the disease, call your doctor immediately. If the disease is diagnosed early, it can be easily treated with antibiotics, and grievous complications can be avoided.
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