Newsplex - What's Going Around - Headlines
What's Going Around: Tick Bites/Related Illnesses
August 13, 2012
If you're planning to spend some time outdoors under the sun, doctors say you should remember more than just your sunblock. In this week's What's Going around doctors are still warning people about ticks and related illnesses this summer.
We're checking in with Dr. William Murray of Forest Lakes Family Medicine.
Dr. Murray tells us there can be many symptoms. If you have a tick bite, you may notice a red rash, fever, chills, fatigue headache, joint and muscle aches as well as muscle weakness. Often there are no symptoms.
You're more likely to get a tick related illness or bite if you're out in fields or woods.
Most tick bites do not require treatment, but Dr. Murray tells us Lyme disease can be a concern.
It's a disease spread only by deer ticks. If folks get this tick related illness, they may notice a bull’s eye or solid red rash with flu-like symptoms that last one to two weeks.
When it comes to treatment, Murray suggests removing the tick and cleaning the bite site with soap and water .If Lyme disease is diagnosed, 14-21 days of oral antibiotics may be prescribed.
Dr. Murray says there are a few options for preventing tick bites. He recommends wearing light colored clothing, long pants and shirts with long sleeves as well as insect repellant with DEET if you're going out doors.
The comments sections of Newsplex.com are designed for thoughtful, intelligent conversation and debate. We want to hear from our viewers, but we only ask that you use your best judgment. E-mail is required, but will not be displayed with comment.
- Comments cannot be profane or vulgar. We will not post comments that use profanity or cross the lines of good taste.
- We will not post comments that use hate speech. Slurs, stereotypes and violent talk aren’t welcome on our website.
- Comments should not attack other readers or people featured in our stories personally. Any accusations should be backed up with facts.
- Any comment we post will be posted in its entirety. We do not edit any comment that we post.
- Comments should contribute to the discussion. We will not post comments that don't advance the discussion. Flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.
- Comments should not attack other posters. Let's keep the focus on the content of the story.
As a host Newsplex.com welcomes a wide spectrum of opinions. However this is a site that we host. We have a responsibility to all our readers to try to keep our comment section fair and decent. For that reason The Newsplex reserves the right to not post or to remove any comment.
If you have any ideas to improve the conversation or this section let us know. Send an e-mail to webmaster@newsplex.com.
powered by Disqus
View All Sections
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013
Designed by Gray Digital Media