It is amusing how serious of a threat a tick bite can be to human health, given their minuscule size. Following the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the tiny bugs can attach themselves covertly to our clothes before biting through our skin when we spend time outside.
This can result in the transmission of pathogenic microbes that can cause serious illnesses, such as babesiosis and Lyme disease. However, in response to a fatal tick-borne disease known as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the CDC has now released a new advisory about its major symptoms.
1. The CDC Reports a Spike in RMSF Cases
The organization claims that the number of Rocky Mountain spotted fever instances in the United States has recently increased. Since late July, five patients had received diagnoses for the illness as of December 8.
The individuals who contracted the infection in every instance had left for Tecate, Mexico, after two weeks of being sick. Some of the patients, who had been confined in southern California including four under-18s, passed away from the illness.
ADVERTISEMENT
While many people who have RMSF never experience a tick bite on their body, the CDC classified the illness as severe, quickly progressing, and frequently fatal when carried by the bite of infected types of ticks.
It is native to regions of northern Mexico and the southwest region of the US, where brown dog ticks, which are frequently seen on pets, are the main vectors of transmission.
2. Early Detection of This Disease Is Vital
According to the organization, RMSF is a fast-progressing illness that can be lethal if medications are not taken within a few days after the onset of symptoms.
Unfavorably, during the first four days of symptoms after being bitten by one of the myriad types of ticks, they may appear moderate and nonspecific before getting worse.
According to the CDC, five times as many children below the age of ten will die from RMSF than from any other cause, and roughly half of those affected will pass away after a week of exhibiting symptoms.
The CDC advises the public to be vigilant for any indications of the disease as prompt diagnosis is essential to averting a catastrophic consequence. There are certain signs and indicators of this disease that everyone should be aware of.
3. Fever and Headache
The CDC lists fever and headache as two of the initial signs of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They might easily be confused for anything else, notably the flu or a regular cold, because they regrettably do not precisely determine the illness.
4. Skin Rashes
As implied by the tick-borne disease’s name, skin rashes are often spotted as a characteristic sign and usually appear on the legs or arms up to four days following the start of sickness.
Throughout the disease, its physical manifestations might fluctuate greatly, according to the CDC. Some rashes resemble red spots, while others are like minuscule spots.
However, it may be challenging to identify the illness in its early stages due to the symptom’s fairly late start. Furthermore, even though it affects nearly all patients, some do not develop any rash whatsoever.
5. Stomach Issues
Although not specific to RMSF, stomach issues are a typical sign of the illness. Among these, according to the CDC, are feeling dizzy, throwing up, abdominal discomfort, and appetite loss.
6. Muscle Pain
ADVERTISEMENT
Although it can accompany a variety of conditions, stiffness or aches are also frequent in RMSF patients, per the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Muscle pain may be one of the signs of the illness followed by the tick bite, according to the CDC.
ADVERTISEMENT
