As we get into the warmer seasons of the year, it’s important to remember that with the coming of more outside activities, so too does the risk of tick bites.
Everyone who lives in this area has had to deal with tick bites at some time or another. Enduring the itching, swelling, and general irritation of the parasitic nibbles in hard-to-reach places.
But tick-borne illnesses can sometimes cause complications that are bigger than someone realizes. Some people, after a tick bite, may experience illness, loss of taste in certain foods, and even allergies for others.
One disease in particular was even discovered in 2009 as a tick-specific borne disease known as the Heartland Virus. This virus can cause a fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain. Many are hospitalized because of their symptoms.
For a list of ways to prevent tick bites, we spoke to Matt Franks, of the West Plains Missouri Department of Conservation:
For more information on tick-borne illnesses, symptoms, and prevention, see the links below:
https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/tickscarrydisease/index.php
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/ticks
https://www.cdc.gov/heartland-virus/symptoms-treatment/index.html
