Keeping Safe From Bug-Borne Illnesses
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Health Tip of the Week It’s no secret that more time outdoors means a greater exposure to biting bugs. Your risk for contracting a bug-borne illness depends on where you live and the time of year. But recent reports indicate that the U.S. will break some records this year, and not the fun kind.
This spring, the U.S. reported locally-acquired cases of malaria for the first time in 20 years. In response, the CDC issued a public health advisory about malaria risk.
Mosquitoes can spread viruses or parasites through a bite. But according to Michael Russo, MD, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), not every person or animal bitten by an infected mosquito will get sick. “Thankfully, symptomatic mosquito-borne infections are rare in children in the continental U.S., particularly in this part of the country.”
Mild winters and warm springs have put 2023 on track to be the worst-ever year for ticks, particularly in the Northeast. The most common tick-borne illness is Lyme disease, spread by the deer tick. Pennsylvania has one of the highest incidences of Lyme disease of any U.S. state. Much less common tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and tularemia.
What if your child is bitten by a tick? “Don’t panic,” says Dr. Russo. “Most tick bites don’t lead to infections.” If you remove a tick within 36 hours of the bite, your child has a minimal chance of getting sick. Daily tick checks can be quite effective. Pay special attention to the hairline, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, between the legs and behind the knees.
To remove a tick attached to the skin, remove it with tweezers by grabbing near the head and pulling upward gently. Then flush it down the toilet. Taking a picture of it on your phone can help identify it if you need to seek medical care. After removal, clean the bite with warm water and apply rubbing alcohol to help reduce any irritation that follows.
If a tick bite escapes notice for more than 36 hours, watch for signs of infection after removal. Signs of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses typically appear a few days to two weeks after the bite. Symptoms common to tick-borne disease include:
Above all, says Dr. Russo, know that “Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections are easily and effectively treated with antibiotics.”
This doesn’t mean you have to avoid going outdoors. Dr. Russo says that prevention and education are the keys to avoiding complications from an insect bite, so brush up on the facts and enjoy your time outside safely!
Contributed by: Michael E. Russo, MD
Categories: Health Tips, Infectious Diseases
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