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Your health: Take precautions against ticks and mosquitoes

Take precautions against ticks

The McHenry County Department of Health is reminding residents to take precautions against tick bites to prevent contracting the diseases they carry, in particular Lyme disease.

Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush and are typically active April through November. Although the American dog tick and the Lone Star tick can spread disease, the black-legged or deer tick is the most common disease carrier in Illinois and is largely responsible for the spread of Lyme disease.

In 2014, 33 cases of Lyme disease were reported in McHenry County as well as three other tick-borne illnesses (Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever). This is a slight drop from the 37 cases reported in 2013.

Lyme disease typically occurs 3 to 30 days after exposure to an infected tick. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person and may include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes and skin rash (often with a “bull's-eye” appearance).

In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted, so it's important to check yourself after being outside.

Many cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. If you experience these symptoms, and have had possible exposure to ticks, contact your physician.

The best way to protect against tick-borne illness includes:

• Educate yourself about tick identification, removal and symptoms.

• Walk in the center of trails. Avoid wooded, bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter (including vacant lots in residential areas).

• Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to find. Tuck long pants into socks and boots.

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET (20% or more) to exposed skin. Follow label instructions.

• Conduct full-body tick checks on family members (including underarms, in/around ears, inside belly button, behind knees, between legs, around waists, and especially in the hair). Also check any gear taken on outings.

• Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect. Keep pets out of tick habitats like tall grass/brush. Always examine pets before bringing them inside. Ask your vet to recommend an over-the-counter tick repellent.

• The CDC recommends bathing or showering as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks.

Staff in the Division of Environmental Health can assist residents with the identification of ticks. Additional information on identification and testing of ticks is available on the MCDH webpage, www.mcdh.info, select Environmental Health, Nuisance, and follow the link to ticks and Lyme disease.

Prevent the West Nile virus

And, speaking of bug bites, the Cook County Department of Public Health is warning residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.

The West Nile virus is an infection carried by mosquitoes, which become infected when they feed on a bird that has the virus in its blood. Once infected, the mosquito can spread the virus to humans and other animals. The Cook County health department gives these tips on how to protect you and your family:

• During the summer, mosquitoes can develop in any standing water that lasts more than seven to 10 days. Get rid of standing water around your home in pet bowls, flower pots, old tires, baby pools and toys.

• When outdoors between dusk and dawn, cover skin with lightly colored, loosefitting clothing and use mosquito repellent with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow the directions on the label.

• Make sure your doors and windows have tightly fitting screens and repair any tears or other openings.

• Keep weeds and grass cut short and keep gutters clean and free of debris.

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness and never become ill, the health department advises. Some people may become ill 3-15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, headache and body aches. More severe symptoms may be a high fever, stiff neck, confusion, and muscle weakness. People over the age of 50 and those with chronic diseases such as heart disease or cancer may be more at-risk for serious illness from the virus.

If you have West Nile virus symptoms, contact your doctor. Most human cases occur in the late summer and early fall.

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