Introduction to Tick Season
The itchy tick season is not over yet. As illnesses from the bug spike on the East Coast, doctors in Chicago are warning people to take precautions as the city enters the yearly bump in tick-related trips to the hospital.
Current Situation in Chicago
Staff at one of Chicago’s largest hospital systems say they are seeing increased tick-bite cases, but there is not enough data to know if the city is entering a spike in cases. “We’ve certainly seen a slight increase in tick-related concerns just within our immediate care clinics,” said Sindhu Aderson, central region medical director at Northwestern Immediate Care. Sharing anecdotal evidence, Aderson said the pattern is consistent with the national increase in reports of Lyme disease. Still, the local risk for tickborne illnesses remains moderate, Aderson said.
National Trend
Eastern states like New York and Massachusetts have reported a spike in tick bites and Lyme disease cases. On Monday, Michigan’s Lenawee County Health department issued an advisory on an increase in tickborne infections. The Chicago Department of Public Health has not seen an increase in Lyme disease cases compared to last year, according to the department spokesman Jacob Martin. “However, ticks tend to be the most active from April through September and so we’d expect that both the number of ED visits due to tick bites and the number of tick-borne disease cases to increase during the summer,” Martin said.
Reporting and Tracking Tick-Related Cases
The health department tracks tick-related cases reported by patients’ healthcare providers. That’s usually done after a positive lab test, so the number of actual cases are likely under-reported, he said. Tick-based infections don’t always appear the same. Mary Wisniewski, an Avondale resident and author, was diagnosed with Lyme disease in late June and has since recovered. She did not initially have a rash — one of the most common signs of a tick bite.
Personal Experience with Tick Bites
Wisniewski was hiking in Door County, Wisconsin, when she was bit. She later experienced a headache, high fever and shakes before visiting a doctor’s office, where she learned she had a tick bite. “Sometimes you can get bitten and (the tick) doesn’t stay on you,” Wisniewski said. Emergency room visits for tickborne infections tend to peak in May, according to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tick bite data tracker. But hot weather can extend the active season for ticks, Aderson said.
Weather Conditions and Tick Activity
Temperatures in Chicago have fluctuated in the past week, with the highest temperatures reaching 89 degrees on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. There has not been a spike in tick-related cases at at Lurie Children’s Hospital, according to Tina Tan, an attending physician of infectious diseases at the hospital. She warned people to take extra measures to protect themselves while hiking, camping or traveling in wooded areas. That includes checking each other for ticks after returning inside.
Prevention Measures
Those measures include:
- Wearing an EPA-registered tick repellent.
- Tucking pants into boots or socks
- Showering soon after being outdoors
- Performing tick checks after being outside in tick habitat
- And calling your doctor if you develop a fever or rash
Conclusion
As the tick season ramps up, it is crucial for individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from tick bites. By being aware of the risks and taking preventive measures, people can reduce their chances of getting infected with tickborne illnesses. It is also essential for healthcare providers to be vigilant in tracking and reporting tick-related cases to ensure timely treatment and prevention of further outbreaks.
FAQs
Q: What are the common signs of a tick bite?
A: Common signs of a tick bite include a rash, headache, high fever, and shakes.
Q: How can I protect myself from tick bites?
A: You can protect yourself by wearing an EPA-registered tick repellent, tucking pants into boots or socks, showering soon after being outdoors, performing tick checks after being outside in tick habitat, and calling your doctor if you develop a fever or rash.
Q: When is the peak season for tick activity?
A: The peak season for tick activity is from April through September, with emergency room visits for tickborne infections tend to peak in May.
Q: What should I do if I find a tick on my body?
A: If you find a tick on your body, remove it immediately and thoroughly clean the area with soap and water. If you develop any symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
