Bug bites can be annoying but beyond that, they can also be dangerous. There are many different diseases caused by parasites, bacteria, and viruses transmitted through the bites of ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.
Sadly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently found that these diseases are becoming more common.
Tick-borne diseases are among the most common of the insect-borne diseases.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness you should know about. It is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. Deer ticks carry the illness and are quite common in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Deer ticks thrive in heavily wooded and grassy areas.
Bacteria from a tick enters the bloodstream if the tick stays attached to your skin for 36 hours or longer. If you remove a tick within 24 hours, your risk of acquiring Lyme disease is low. Your risk of developing Lyme disease goes up the longer the tick is attached to your skin.
Lyme disease that goes untreated can cause complications. These include arthritis, heart problems, and neurological problems. If you have concerns about this, visit with your health care provider.
You can reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease by following these simple precautions.
If you find a tick on you, remove the tick with tweezers. Gently grasp the tick by the head or mouth and pull carefully and steadily straight out. Your doctor might recommend taking a dose of antibiotic as prevention of Lyme disease after a bite from a deer tick. You can contact your physician’s office to ask about this if you have a concern.
The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease differ among individuals. Since the disease affects a variety of body parts, not everyone will display all of the symptoms.
If you’ve noticed the signs of Lyme disease, seek medical attention, even if signs disappear. Symptoms may take weeks to fully progress.
If you’ve had Lyme disease before, don’t assume you’re immune. You can get the disease again.
To learn more, you can make an appointment with a clinician online. You can also go online to find a doctor whenever you need one.
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