Ticks

I saw this post from one of my friends and wanted to pass it along to my readers. She’s having a tick of a time and shared this in hopes of enlightening the rest of us! Thanks Julie!

From Julie Burroughs, ‎Trail Dames

May 28, 2015
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Hi everyone! Just a word of caution to always check for ticks and do what you can to prevent them from getting on you in the first place. I want to share what is happening with me, in hopes that it may help in some way. On Monday Morning, I found and removed a tick. By that evening, I had developed a large rash at the bite site. By early morning Tuesday the rash had worsened, I had a severe headache, and was nauseated and had chills. Since I am already immuno compromised, I didn’t take any chances and headed in to see my Dr., who preliminarily diagnosed me with a tick born illness other than Lyme. Possibly Ehrlichiosis Or STARI. He did blood work and put me on doxycycline which is the treatment for Lyme as well. According to my GP, Lyme is virtually non existent in Georgia although a quick internet search, offer lots of differing opinions. I had no idea that ticks could cause at least 14 other diseases besides Lyme and pose such serious health risks. Please read up on what you can do to prevent tick bites in the first place. If you do get bitten, and If you develop a rash or fever within days or several weeks of removing a tick, see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick.

http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/symptoms.htm

l I am feeling some better after 3 days of treatment. Hopefully, this will be a very short term infection because I am headed to the AT on June 6th for a section hike in Virginia. Ticks are not going to keep us from the woods and trails but the illnesses they cause could be a game changer. Who else out there has delt with a tick borne illness? And What tips do you have to prevent being bitten in the first place?

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