Ticks are microscopic parasites that feed on blood from humans and animals. Adult ticks usually measure 3 to 5 millimeters in length, depending on their age, gender, and species. Because of their small size, it’s easy to miss when they have bonded to you or your pet. Always be vigilant for ticks and promptly remove them as soon as you spot one. Here are some facts about tick prevention.
A study published in Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases says tick bites harm about 31 million Americans annually. The worst diseases ticks carry are:
- Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can lead to joint discomfort and flu-like symptoms, which may worsen if not treated promptly.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This can induce a sudden high fever and rash can be lethal if untreated.
- Alphagal syndrome. This is a red meat allergy that occurs after a tick bite, where a molecule known as alpha-gal, which is prevalent in red meat and other mammals, enters the bloodstream.
- Powassan virus, a rare but potentially deadly disease, can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
- Anaplasmosis. Untreated, a bacterial infection can trigger flu-like symptoms that escalate in severity.
“Ticks are more than just bothersome. They are disease carriers. They stick firmly and can feed for hours, giving them plenty of opportunity to spread bacteria and viruses to humans,” explains Dr. Denise Pate, a board-certified internal medicine physician, medical director of the Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City, and LabFinder.com contributor. Read the article.
