Safety Tips
Dangers in the Woods - Summer Health
From New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Infectious Diseases expert Dr. Laura Fisher shares important information about common bug bites and what you need to be aware of.
Lyme Disease
Signs and symptoms of early Lyme Disease: rash,f ever, muscle and joint aches, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) irregular heart conduction.
Signs and symptoms of late Lyme Disease
Arthritis (joint swelling and pain), poor concentration and memory, numbness and tingling or nerve pain in an extremity.
Lyme Disease prevention
Insect/tick repellent, wear light colored clothing, avoid areas with tall grass, check for ticks each evening, remove tick and show to physician, watch for Lyme rash.
Other U.S. Tick Borne Illnesses
Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Ehrlichiosis Symptions:
• Fever
• Headache
• Malaise
• 30-60% rash and muscle aches
• This is most common in southeastern and south central U.S.
Anaplasmosis symptoms:
• Fever
• Headache
• Malaise
• Muscle aches and vomiting
• This is most common in New England and north central states and West Coast.
Babesiosis Symptoms:
• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• This usually occurs in New England, Long Island, New Jersey, Fire Island and Shelter Island
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Symptoms:
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anorexia
• Headache
• Most patients have a rash
• This disease is widespread in the U.S.
Mosquitos
• West Nile Virus is transmitted by infected mosquito bites. It is widespread through U.S. Most cases are asymptomatic or mild.
• Possible signs and symptoms: 20 % have fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, muscle aches and rash.
• Rare complications are meningitis, encephalitis (brain inflammation) or paralysis.
• Other types of mosquito-transmitted viral encephalitis in the U.S. are: Eastern equine encephalitis (Great Lakes region,
Atlantic and Gulf coasts), Western equine encephalitis (western U.S.) and St. Louis encephalitis (widespread in U.S.). Symptoms of
encephalitis include headache, fever, confusion, seizures and coma.
back to top
|
