Tick Bite Fever
The Truth About Tick Bite Fever
Tick bite fever comes in a few different varieties, some less harsh and dangerous than others. Derived from a bacterial infection which has been lifted from a former host and stored within the blood and biting mouth parts of the tick, this passing of communicable disease is second in frequency only to the habits of the mosquito. Symptoms of tick bite fever are seldom put off for more than seven days from the time of the initial bite, though many victims are not aware that they have been bitten at all. Some of the larger ticks can cause a pinching or scratching sensation when inflicting their specialized bite, but the smaller and generally more dangerous species are rarely detectible.
The most infamous tick bite fever is called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and it is accompanied by a very distinctive rash. This rash is made up of small, flat purple to red dots which spread from the palms of the hands and the balls of the feet to the rest of the body. The rash, however, is the least of the victim’s worries. This tick bite fever can cause death in weaker or smaller humans, and even in the most healthy of people if it is not treated promptly. The symptoms can often cause such horrible conditions as shock, kidney failure, and sudden uncontrollable fever. Other side effects of this nasty infection include nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and muscle and joint aches.
Colorado Tick Bite Fever is a less severe, yet still quite uncomfortable, viral infection passed to humans through a seemingly painless bite. The symptoms of this infection can take up to fourteen days to surface, causing some confusion at times regarding the origin of the mysterious illness. The victim will fall to chills and fever, accompanied by intense muscle pains and horrible headaches. Most sufferers of this tick bite fever find that they have a very painful sensitivity to light, or photophobia.
There is also a relapsing tick bite fever, which can render a great variety of all of the aforementioned symptoms, with the exception of shock and kidney failure. This particular infection will usually rear its ugly head within 3 to 6 days of the initial tick bite, but will then retreat for sometimes a full week before attacking again. This cycle can repeat itself indefinitely, though it normal takes just one course to be fully completed. All of these illnesses will need medical attention and consistent care in order to be of as little consequence as possible. Prevention and awareness of tick behaviors and habitats will help you to avoid dealing with these diseases all together. Take good care out there.