Consumer Focus: Summer Health Tips This is an archived document.
Taking the Bite Out of Summer
Are you ready? Warm weather is
here, and so are the ticks and mosquitoes. With ticks comes
the risk of Lyme disease and with mosquitoes comes the risk
of West Nile virus. Reduce your risk with these common sense
approaches.
Lyme
disease is an infection that is transmitted by
a tick bite. It often starts with a large red rash at the site
of the bite, followed by flu-like symptoms and fatigue. Not
all persons develop the same symptoms. The disease can be difficult
to diagnose since its symptoms mimic those of other diseases.
The symptoms of early Lyme disease
include:
A characteristic
skin rash, a circular red patch, which often resembles a bull's-eye”
Muscle
and joint aches
Headache
Chills
and fever
Fatigue
Swollen
lymph nodes
The symptoms of late Lyme disease
may not appear until weeks, months, or even years after a tick
bite and include:
Arthritis
(usually as pain and swelling in large joints, especially
the knee)
Nervous
system abnormalities such as numbness, pain, or facial paralysis
Irregularities
of the heart rhythm
Nearly all people with Lyme disease
can be effectively treated with a course of antibiotic therapy.
In general, the sooner such therapy is begun following infection,
the quicker and more complete the recovery. There is a vaccine
available, "LYMErix",
to help prevent Lyme disease. Three doses of the vaccine are
given over a period of one year. The vaccine is not available
for those under 15 years of age. The vaccine is not 100 percent
effective; it is not known how long protection against Lyme
disease lasts after the vaccination; and the vaccine should
not be considered a substitute for other standard preventive
measures against infection.
Preventing Infection
Lyme disease has been reported
in nearly all states
in this country. Most cases of Lyme disease occur in the spring
and summer months when ticks are "feeding" and people generally
spend more time outdoors. Campers, hikers, outdoor workers,
and gardeners are at the greatest risk of exposure to infected
ticks. Here are some tips to minimize the risk of contracting
Lyme disease:
Avoid
areas where deer ticks live, such as wooded, brushy, and nearby
shady grasslands, especially from May through August.
To minimize
exposure to ticks, you should wear long pants and long-sleeved
shirts that fit tightly at the ankles and wrists, and wear
a hat.
Tuck
pant legs into socks or boots, and wear shoes that leave no
part of the feet exposed.
Tape
the area where pants and socks meet so that ticks cannot crawl
underneath.
Wear
light-colored clothing so that ticks can be spotted more easily.
Shower
after all outdoor activities and immediately wash clothing.
Check
periodically for ticks if you have been in and around brushy
areas or working in a garden.
Walk
in the center of trails to avoid picking up ticks from overhanging
grass and brush.
Spray
your clothing with the insecticide permethrin (found in lawn
and garden stores). Insect repellents that contain DEET can
also be applied to clothing or directly onto skin.
Caution:
Do not overuse these products as high concentrations can cause
some serious side effects. Infants and children may be especially
at risk for adverse reactions to DEET.
Protecting Your Pet Against
Lyme Disease
Household pets can get Lyme disease
too. There are currently three vaccines
available for dogs but, unfortunately, not for cats. Checking
pets for all types of ticks before letting them enter the home
reduces the risk of infection for both pet and owner.
West
Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus spread by insects,
usually mosquitoes. The virus primarily circulates between infected
birds and mosquitoes that bite them. Infected mosquitoes can
transmit the virus when they bite other animals or people. Even
in areas where the virus is circulating, not all mosquitoes
become infected with it, and infection does not occur in all
individuals exposed to mosquitoes carrying WNV.
People infected
with WNV typically develop symptoms within 3 to 14 days after
being bitten by an infected mosquito. Mild symptoms include:
flu-like symptoms; fever; headache; body aches; and sometimes
a rash, and swollen lymph glands. In a small number of people,
life-threatening encephalitis or meningitis could result. The
risk of getting the more severe form of WNV is higher for people
50 years of age and older. The FDA believes WNV can be transmitted
by both organ transplantation and blood transfusion. Unfortunately,
no tests exist yet for large-scale screening of donor
blood and there are no approved drugs to treat
the virus or vaccines to prevent it.
Protecting Yourself Against WNV
Here are some steps you can take
to protect yourself, especially if living in an area where West
Nile Virus is active:
Apply insect repellant containing
DEET before going outdoors.
Wear loose fitting clothing
that covers your arms and legs.
If possible, avoid outdoor activities
between dusk and dawn, when mosquito activity is greatest.
Keep mosquitoes outside by having
well-fitting screens on both windows and doors.
Limit the number
of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting
rid of items that hold water. Clean out clogged gutters, drain
buckets/pails, and empty and change the water in flower pots
and birdbaths.
Note: Ultrasonic devices are not effective in preventing mosquito bites.
Protecting Your Pet Against WNV
WNV can be a threat to some animals
as well, especially birds and horses. Like humans, animals are
infected with the virus when bitten by an infected mosquito.
An equine vaccine is available through licensed veterinarians.
Dogs and cats can also be infected with the virus, but it is
unlikely that most pet owners would notice any unusual symptoms
or behavior in cats or dogs that become infected with WNV. If
your pet does show signs
of WNV infection (fever, lack of coordination, muscle weakness,
spasms, seizures or paralysis), you should contact your veterinarian.
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection in dogs or
cats, but full recovery from the infection is likely.
Note:
Pet owners should not use human repellents that contain DEET
on animals. Check with your veterinarian for the appropriate
products to protect your pet.
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