The Rochester Board of Health would like to remind the public that the number of tick-borne illnesses increases substantially during the summer months. There are many tick-borne illnesses in our area. The most common are; Lyme disease, Babesiosis and Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (formerly known as Erlichiosis.) Ticks are often infected with more than one of these organisms and pass on the coinfection when they bite their host.
Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses may include some or all of the following symptoms; fever, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, headache, stomach upset and chills. Some people who contract Lyme disease develop a rash. A rash is not always present. Tick-borne illnesses are treated with prescription antibiotics. If you experience some or all of these symptoms, especially a fever in summer months, contact your healthcare provider. Typical treatment is to prescribe antibiotics based on symptoms as soon as possible. Waiting for lab test results may delay needed medication.
Ticks live in grassy, leafy areas. They like long grass and dead leaves best. When they are getting ready to lay eggs, they need protein. They get this needed protein from the blood of their hosts. Ticks do something called questing. Questing is when ticks climb up to the tops of grasses and fallen leaves and extend their front legs. They wait until an animal or host brushes past and they grab onto the host with their legs. Ticks will crawl around the host’s body until they find the right place to latch on and bite their host with their mouthparts. Ticks do not fall from trees.
There are many kinds of ticks. The common dog tick is not believed to carry these diseases. The kinds of ticks that carry disease resemble a poppy seed in size.
The best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid areas with tall grass and a lot of fallen, dead leaves in warmer months. It is also helpful to perform tick checks after spending time outdoors. Insect repellents, like permethrin, can deter ticks.
If you find a tick that has bitten you, your family, friends or pets, grasp the tick firmly and pull it straight out. Wash your hands thoroughly after you destroy the tick.
For more information, go to www.mass.gov.