- Ticks can be especially problematic in some regions during warmer weather. Ticks can attach themselves to the skin outside or can be carried into the house on clothing, shoes or animals. Ticks are responsible for spreading Lyme disease, a bacterial illness transmitted specifically through the bite of this parasitic insect. Lyme disease can cause severe health complications and is often indicated by symptoms like lethargy, anorexia and fever. Lyme disease can cause life-long effects but also can be treated and managed successfully in many cases. Ticks also spread ehrlichiosis, which is a bacterial infection. Ehrlichiosis infects the white blood cells of the body and destroys them. This infection causes serious symptoms such as enlarged lymph nodes, swollen spleen, weight loss, anemia and lethargy. Aggressive antibiotic therapy is needed to treat ehrlichiosis successfully. Meningoencephalitis is another tick-borne disease that infects the nervous system. Seizures, severe pain, fever and even paralysis can be results of meningoencephalitis and aggressive antibiotics, and sometimes anticonvulsants are required to treat this infection.
- Mosquitoes are annoying, blood-sucking pests. Itchy, puffy welts accompany most mosquito bites, and while uncomfortable, they're usually easy to treat. However, there could be more sinister consequences associated with a mosquito bite. West Nile virus and the equine encephalitis virus are both potential health risks linked to mosquitos. Both viruses affect humans and can involve symptoms such as headache, fever and flu-like ailments. Severe cases of either virus have been known to cause serious effects such as seizures, abnormal behavior, coma and even death. It may seem unbelievable, but according to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are the most lethal animals on the planet! That's because they account for approximately 725,000 deaths annually from infections such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis.
The best approach to protecting yourself from illness associated with insect bites is to take preventive measures when you know you’ll be outdoors. The following simple tips can help keep you safe.