This summer, Bassett Healthcare Network practitioners have been seeing an increased number of patients diagnosed with tick-borne diseases, including a bacterial infection called anaplasmosis. As we prepare for autumn, the risk of illness will remain — ticks can be active and bite humans year-round whenever the temperature outside is above 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is important to stay aware so you can take precautions. If you or your loved ones experience any potential symptoms, make plans to see a medical provider as soon as possible. When anaplasmosis is diagnosed early with a simple blood test, an antibiotic can be prescribed immediately. Most people feel better in a matter of days. However, if treatment is not prompt, the illness can lead to serious complications such as liver and kidney injury, respiratory distress or even organ failure.
Take action and contact your health care provider if you experience a fever, chills, general malaise or tiredness, nausea, vomiting or stomach pain, especially if you know you’ve been bitten by a tick. Each of these symptoms, while easy to write off as a commonplace ailment, could be an indicator that you have anaplasmosis and need an antibiotic to recover. Unlike Lyme disease, anaplasmosis does not typically cause a rash. There is no tell-tale outward sign when someone becomes infected.
The best way to reduce your risk of contracting any tick-borne disease is to reduce your risk of being bitten in the first place. The simplest way to do this is to check your clothes and body for ticks whenever you come in from spending time outdoors. Ticks can also be carried into our homes by pets, so if your dog or cat spends time outside, check them as well.
If you spend time in a wooded area like a nature trail, wear light-colored clothing so you can more easily spot any ticks that may be on the fabric. Long sleeves and pants are also recommended — the more of your skin you have covered, the less skin you are leaving exposed to potential bites. Insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin can provide added protection.
If you do find a tick has bitten you or your loved one, remove it as soon as it is found. The longer a tick is attached, the more likely it is to transmit disease. Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Without squeezing or twisting, pull the tick away from the skin until it detaches. Be sure to dispose of the tick properly (do not crush it with your fingers), thoroughly clean the bite area, and wash your hands when you are done. Monitor for any symptoms in the days and weeks that follow.
Ticks are enduring pests, and concerns about tick-borne disease are nothing new to any of us who live in rural upstate New York. At Bassett Healthcare Network, we have diagnosed patients this summer who were surprised to learn they have anaplasmosis — with some even saying they do not spend much time outdoors. They had not considered tick-borne disease as a possibility for why they were feeling unwell. These stories prove just how vigilant we all must be about our health and just how wide-reaching these diseases can be. Tick-borne disease transmission can happen to anyone. Prevention is key, but if you receive a tick bite, prompt medical attention can make all the difference.