Be Safe

Stuck on You: Ticks are a Part of Summer

Background:
The tick-borne diseases most often found in Virginia are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. The black legged or deer tick is the most common carrier of Lyme disease in the eastern United States. In Virginia, the dog tick commonly carries the organism that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ehrlichiosis is carried by the lone star tick and by the black legged or deer tick.

What you need to know:

• Within three days to a few weeks after being bitten by a tick carrying Lyme Disease, 70 to 90 percent of
  people develop a circular or oblong rash, called
  erythema migrans or EM, at the site of the bite.
  The EM rash increases to two to three inches in
  diameter and sometimes to as large as 20 inches.
  As it enlarges, the center of the rash clears giving it
  a "bull’s eye" appearance.
• In addition to, or instead of the EM, headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, and a feeling of tiredness can occur.
• If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to an early phase affecting the joints, nervous system or heart. This occurs several weeks to months after the tick bite. In a small percentage of infected people, late symptoms may occur months to years later with long term nervous system problems or arthritis.
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever is characterized by a
  sudden onset of symptoms and can be fatal if not treated.
• Early symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which start 2 to 14 days after the tick bite, include fever, deep muscle pain, severe headache, chills, and upset stomach or vomiting. Around the third day a red, spotted rash usually appears, beginning on the wrists and ankles. It spreads quickly to the palms and soles and then to much of the rest of the body.