Medical Experts Caution on Tick-borne Disease Threats Amid Rising Temperatures 

Medical Experts Caution on Tick-borne Disease Threats Amid Rising Temperatures. Credit | Getty Images
Medical Experts Caution on Tick-borne Disease Threats Amid Rising Temperatures. Credit | Getty Images

United States: As the spring season approaches and the weather outside becomes warmer, health experts have raised concerns regarding the increase in ticks and ticks-related illnesses.  

While addressing the concern, a professor of medicine and infectious disease expert at Dartmouth Health – Dr. Jeffrey Parsonnet, stated, “With global warming, we’re beginning to see Lyme disease transmission almost all a year, certainly starting in March,” as reported by wmur.com.  

Further, while explaining the process of disease and its entrance in the human body, the expert mentioned that when a tick, which might carry Lyme disease, enters to the human body there is a small window before it human body gets infected from the disease.  

In this regard, Parsonnet stated, “The tick has to be embedded, not just crawling on the skin. It has to be in place for two days, really.” 

He also briefed about some symptoms about the disease, which can be rash, a low-grade fever and body aches. Along with this, he highlighted that in severe cases, the infection can affect the nervour and cardiovascular systems.  

Medical Experts Caution on Tick-borne Disease Threats Amid Rising Temperatures. Credit | Getty Images
Medical Experts Caution on Tick-borne Disease Threats Amid Rising Temperatures. Credit | Getty Images

Parsonnet was quoted saying, “Remove the tick, there’s no magic to it. Just get a pair of tweezers and pull it out. But at that point, living in Vermont and New Hampshire, there’s enough Lyme disease that’s a point to contact one’s provider because taking a single dose of an antibiotic doxycycline can prevent the emergence of Lyme disease,” according to wmur.com. 

What exactly are ticks, and why are they considered to be a threat? 

It is crucial to identify the symptoms of prevalent tick-borne disease as it increases the likelihood of promptly seeking medical attention after a tick bite. Many tick-borne maladies exhibit akin symptoms.  

Thus, if an individual experiences any of these symptoms subsequent to being bitten by a tick, consulting a physician is imperative: 

Rash 

Fever/chills 

Headache 

Muscle aches/joint pain 

Fatigue 

Outlined below are specific symptoms correlated with some of the more prevalent tick-borne afflictions impacting individuals in the US, according to batonrougeclinic.com.  

Lyme Disease: 

Ixodes ticks, which harbor borrelia bacteria and are responsible for Lyme disease, are prevalent across the US, Canada, and Europe. Engaging in activities within grassy, scrubby, or wooded environments heightens the risk of contracting this disease. Indications encompass: 

A rash that looks like a target or bulls-eye, spreading out from the site of the tick bite 

Fever 

Headache 

Fatigue 

Joint stiffness 

Muscle aches and pains 

Swollen lymph nodes 

Initial symptoms typically surface within the initial 30 days, albeit not everyone exhibits conspicuous symptoms post-Lyme disease contraction. Failure to discern and address the illness during this phase can lead to more severe and widespread manifestations. 

Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis: 

These are two closely linked afflictions transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. The tick bite responsible for these conditions is typically painless, with many individuals remaining unaware of being bitten. Prominent symptoms include: 

Fever/chills 

Severe headache 

Muscle aches 

Less frequent symptoms may comprise nausea, emesis, anorexia, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, cough, arthritic discomfort, dermatological eruption, and alterations in cognitive status, as per batonrougeclinic.com.  

Babesiosis: 

This malaria-like parasite infiltrates erythrocytes and triggers influenza-like symptoms such as pyrexia, chills, cephalalgia, bodily discomfort, lassitude, anorexia, and nausea. Certain individuals may remain asymptomatic. 

Babesiosis can induce severe illness in the elderly, individuals lacking a spleen, those with compromised immune function, or individuals with other grave health issues. In severe instances, it can prove fatal. 

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: 

This tick-borne ailment is disseminated by the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the brown dog tick. Prominent symptoms encompass: 

Rash 

Fever/chills 

Headache 

Sore throat 

Body aches 

Stomach ache 

Decreased appetite 

Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea 

Sensitivity to light 

Confusion 

In the absence of treatment, grave complications can arise, including neurological impairment, paralysis, gangrene, hearing loss, urinary incontinence, and potentially fatality. 

Medical Experts Caution on Tick-borne Disease Threats Amid Rising Temperatures. Credit | Getty Images
Medical Experts Caution on Tick-borne Disease Threats Amid Rising Temperatures. Credit | Getty Images

Powassan (POW): 

This virus is disseminated by the same tick species responsible for transmitting Lyme disease. Many individuals contracting Powassan remain asymptomatic. However, symptomatic cases may present with: 

Fever 

Headache 

Vomiting 

Weakness 

Confusion 

Loss of coordination 

Speech difficulties 

Seizures 

Severe infections can elicit neurological manifestations and paralysis and potentially prove fatal. 

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS): 

The alpha-gal syndrome is not attributable to a viral or bacterial infection but rather manifests as an allergic reaction to a sugar inherent in the tissues of all mammals except humans and primates. The lone star tick can impart AGS to humans, provoking an immune response. 

No definitive treatment exists for AGS, though afflicted individuals can mitigate allergic reactions by abstaining from consuming meat or other products containing alpha-gal. Antibody levels may diminish over time, enabling some individuals to eventually consume meat and alpha-gal-containing products sans experiencing an allergic reaction.