Wow, where did the summer go? Just as I was beginning to 'fall' for my summer routine, it seems like autumn is nearly here and August is almost over. That means, unfortunately, that tick season is upon on; and with it the potential to be infected with the various tick-borne illnesses that they can spread...
While most Canadians are understandably worried about well known tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, there is another lesser known tick-borne illness that is just as insidious and potentially far reaching - Rocky Mountain spotted fever. According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Most people who get sick with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash, and RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with the right antibiotic.
Read on the learn more about Rocky Mountain spotted fever; including prevention tips and tricks from mosquito.buzz.
Transmission
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spread by a few species of ticks in Canada; namely the American Dog Tick, which is one of the most common ticks found across the country.
During most of its 2-year life cycle, the dog tick can usually be found in areas with long grass and tree cover, where it waits patiently for its next blood meal to wander by. They're about the size of an apple seed and reddish brown in colour, and usually have white markings or silver-coloured spots on their shells, distinct enough to stand out if viewed up close (hopefully not too close, though).
They are most active in the spring and summer, and they feed on a variety of hosts, ranging in size from mice to deer. Humans are often on the menu as well, so make sure to take the necessary precautions when out and about in the great outdoors!
Signs & Symptoms
Like many tick-borne illnesses, early signs and symptoms can be hard to detect and may seem like other ailments initially (including the fever and headache associated with the illness). However, the disease can rapidly progress to a serious and life-threatening illness if not treated properly. If you become ill after having been bitten by a tick while spending time in the woods or in other high risk areas, make sure to contact your health care provider as soon as possible.
Signs and symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Muscle pain
- Lack of appetite
According to the CDC, a rash is a common sign in people who are sick with RMSF, which usually develops 2-4 days after the fever begins. The look of the rash can vary widely over the course of illness.
RMSF Prevention
Like Lyme disease, the best prevention against contracting RMSF is to guard against tick bites altogether. Here's what you can do to avoid getting a tick bite;
- Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or permetherin. Added bonus: you'll repel mosquitoes, too!
- Wear closed-toe shoes and long-sleeved clothing
- Tuck your pants into your socks. You'll look a bit ridiculous, but it works!
- Wear light coloured clothing to help you spot potential ticks easier
- Wash yourself as soon as you get home to get rid of any loose ticks
- Do a full body check on yourself, your kids, or your pets if you've come back from a tick prone area
Talk to the team at Mosquito.buzz about preventing ticks long term. You can also follow us on Facebook for weekly tick and mosquito bite prevention tips.
