Summer is a wonderful season, and the warmth and sun make it a great time for adventuring and heading out.
But there is one thing you should be on the lookout for the heat-loving arachnids known as ticks.
There are now three times as many diseases that you can catch from ticks, and the number of cases is also at an all-time high.
They transmit diseases when they suck blood, and the worst part is they can be pretty difficult to spot because they hide very well.
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It’s important that you’re aware of the health risks involved if you’re not on a sharp lookout for ticks, especially if you live down South, in the Northeast, or in the upper Midwest.
Here are some of the diseases these critters carry, apart from the common and well-known Lyme disease.
1. Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis
These two diseases can result in symptoms that are almost flu-like, and they’re both relatively common.
Symptoms include headaches, muscle pain, fevers, chills, stomach pain, disorientation and confusion, nausea, and coughing.
2. Tularemia
This rare condition is characterized by the appearance of a skin ulcer at the site of the tick bite, followed by swelling and possible glandular issues.
3. Babesiosis
It’s hard to notice the symptoms for this, and they often only show up several months after infection takes root.
The most common parts you may notice are fatigue and fever, though many more symptoms may occur.
4. Rickettsiosis
More commonly known as rocky mountain spotted fever, this condition will start off with what seems like the flu at first, but then you’ll notice rashes beginning to appear.
Spotted fever is potentially fatal as it attacks red blood cells, and if you have a weaker immune system, you’ll really need to be careful about this one!
Stay safe this summer and keep an eye out for ticks!
If you notice a tick on your body or that of a loved one, quickly go to a doctor immediately to have it removed and for a checkup.