Symptoms usually develop about 2 to 14 days after the tick bite. They may include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Mental confusion
- Rash -- usually starts a few days after the fever; first appears on wrists and ankles as spots that are 1 - 5 mm in diameter, then spreads to most of the body. About one-third of infected people do not get a rash at all.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- Abnormal sensitivity to light
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst
- Hallucinations
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Treatment involves careful removal of the tick from the skin and antibiotics to eliminate the infection. Treatment usually cures the infection. Complications are rare but can include paralysis, hearing loss, nerve damage, and, rarely, death.
Prevention
When walking or hiking in tick-infested areas, tuck long pants into socks to protect the legs, and wear shoes and long-sleeved shirts. Ticks will show up on white or light colors better than dark colors, making them easier to see and remove from clothing.
Remove ticks immediately by using a tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Insect repellent may be helpful. Because less than 1% of ticks carry this infection, antibiotics are not usually given after a tick bite.
Call your health care provider if symptoms develop after exposure to ticks or known tick bite. The complications of untreated Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be life threatening.
Next week we will be finishing up our discussion on Ticks with information on the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease. If you have any questions or concerns with Ticks or any other pest, please give us a call at 1-800-894-8024 and we will be happy to answer them for you.
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