What is rocky mountain spotted fever?

Ticks are found all over the world, they are arachnids, members of the spider family. Ticks ingest the blood of their victims, which are you, dogs, cats, and many other animals. They convey disease such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tularemia, (an infectious disease of rodents transferred to humans) ehrlichiosis (simular to Rocky Mountain without rash).

Without being infected, the tick bite can cause a response which includes a small itchy rounded lump to a large open sore. The bites may bring about the symptoms of fever, chills, and fatigue. Usually the wounds will begin to heal in a period of a week or two.

Unfortunately affects many people each season, which is late in the spring and early summer. This is the time of year when people are ¡§outdoors¡¨ enjoying activities that we love to do in the warm months. These ¡§creatures¡¨ are lurking out there, waiting for the opportunity to use you as their food. When the ¡§bite¡¨ happens and you are infected, the disease will begin to show within 3-12 days as spots on the hands and palms wrists, feet and soles and ankles, it will ultimately spread towards the trunk. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, nausea vomiting. The early rash will be somewhat pink in color and will blanch with pressure. Later the rash will become blotchy and red or purple in color

If you think someone is exhibiting the symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, seek the expertise of a physician right away.

You may be able to prevent being bitten by these repulsive little arachnids if you will practice a few preventative measures.

„h Use tick repellent when going into the woods. Follow instructions on label.

„h Wear proper clothing, long sleeved shirts, and pants that are tucked in and fit snugly around ankles and wrists and waist.

„h Check yourself often for ticks; do not give them time to find a good place to bite.

„h If you find a tick imbedded, use tweezers and gently pull loose near the head of the tick and close to your skin.

„h After handling ticks, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.