Aging and Disease

Ticks are parasites that can transmit debilitating diseases to humans and animals. Disease transmission occurs through tick bites. In the United States, ticks cause a number of diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis.

Lyme disease is transmitted by white-footed mice to ticks, when the ticks feed on them. Ticks, in turn, pass on the disease to humans. This disease is primarily caused by deer ticks. The infection is transmitted only if the tick has been attached to the host for thirty-six to forty-eight hours. Early symptoms include an expanding “bull’s eye” rash, fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, facial palsy, joint pains, and numbness. Late-stage symptoms include arthritis, numbness, temporary memory loss, confusion, and lack of concentration.

Ehrlichiosis is primarily transmitted by the Lone Star tick. Its symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and vomiting. A rash may or may not appear. Babesiosis is generally transmitted by the deer tick. Its symptoms include fatigue, discomfort, fever, headache, and muscle pain. This disease can prove fatal if it is not treated immediately.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by several species of ticks, and its symptoms include rash, high fever, and flu-like symptoms. If this disease is ignored or not treated properly, it can cause death. Colorado tick fever is primarily caused by the Rocky Mountain wood tick. It is also characterized by a rash, high fever, and flu-like symptoms. In severe cases, bleeding or heart problems may occur.

Tick paralysis is caused by several species of ticks. Its early signs are fatigue and numbness. It can lead to convulsions and facial paralysis, and if untreated it can even cause death. Unlike treatment for other tick borne diseases, treatment for tick paralysis is very simple, involving only the complete removal of the tick.

Individuals visiting or inhabiting tick-prone areas can prevent tick bites by taking some simple precautions. These precautions include regularly mowing lawn grass, clearing leaves and bush, treating pets and their environments with tick-killing pesticide, wearing light-colored clothes and enclosed shoes, and treating clothes with repellent before wearing them.

However, there is no reason to panic if a tick is found attached to the skin of a host. It must be carefully removed with tweezers or a commercial tick removal tool and preserved in a sealed container or bag. It is also necessary to watch out for symptoms of tick-borne disease for about a month and seek medical help immediately if any symptoms appear. All tick-borne diseases can be cured easily if treated in their early stages.

Tags: Aging, Medical

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