There are so many fun activities to do in the great outdoors, especially when the weather is nice. Whether it’s going on a scenic hike, having a picnic in the park, or anything in between, spending time outside is good for the mind, body, and soul. However, it’s important to remember that the nice weather lines up with tick season, and these little critters are not one of the fun parts of the outdoors, especially not if they bring tick-borne illnesses like anaplasmosis with them.

About Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum and spread by ticks (and blood transfusions in rare cases). The signs and symptoms typically appear one or two weeks after one is bitten, although many do not notice or remember when or where they were infected. Because of this, it’s important to check your pets, body, clothes, and other belongings for ticks anytime you return from a wooded area or anywhere with the potential to house ticks. If you are bitten and develop symptoms, you may experience

• Severe headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite

If one does not receive treatment, these symptoms hold the potential to evolve into much more serious effects. These include organ failure, bleeding problems, respiratory failure, and even death. Because of this, receiving prompt treatment with the antibiotic doxycycline is integral.

Stay Careful and Watch Out for Anaplasmosis!

Over the summer, the CDC has announced that anaplasmosis has been a bigger problem this summer than in years past. The upper Midwest and Northeast are typically where these cases are seen.

In order to stay safe, make sure to stay careful while you’re outside, wear insect repellant, wear clothes that cover your skin, and perform tick checks whenever coming back inside.

Find the source article here.