Black legged ticks are small and their bites are often painless. Although painless, an infected tick can transmit bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilium to humans and go undetected for days or even weeks. Symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways with the most common being fever, headache, muscle pain, malaise, chills, nausea, abdominal pain, cough, and confusion (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2016)
. Due to the generalized symptoms, treatment is often delayed until more serious complications such as difficulty breathing, hemorrhage, renal failure or neurological problems present (CDC, 2016). With early detection, Anaplasmosis is more likely to have positive outcomes. According to the CDC, without early detection and proper treatment, Anaplasmosis can be fatal.
Individuals can be diagnosed with Anaplasmosis anytime of the year, but the greatest …show more content…
Since that time, the number of cases has steadily increased with 348 reported cases in 2000, to 1761 cases in 2010 (CDC, 2016). The CDC reports that even though the reportable cases continue to rise, the mortality rate has remained low at less than 1 percent. In order to decrease the risk of becoming infected with Anaplasmosis as a result of a tick bite, individuals should practice preventative measures when going outdoors.
Primary prevention is aimed at preventing the disease process from ever occurring. One example of primary prevention is before going outdoors into wooded and grassy areas, apply insect repellant containing 20 percent or higher of DEET to exposed skin (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2017). In addition to applying DEET spray, individuals should perform a tick check after being outdoors. Particular attention should be taken to inspect under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and on the hairline and scalp (CDC,
. Due to the generalized symptoms, treatment is often delayed until more serious complications such as difficulty breathing, hemorrhage, renal failure or neurological problems present (CDC, 2016). With early detection, Anaplasmosis is more likely to have positive outcomes. According to the CDC, without early detection and proper treatment, Anaplasmosis can be fatal.
Individuals can be diagnosed with Anaplasmosis anytime of the year, but the greatest …show more content…
Since that time, the number of cases has steadily increased with 348 reported cases in 2000, to 1761 cases in 2010 (CDC, 2016). The CDC reports that even though the reportable cases continue to rise, the mortality rate has remained low at less than 1 percent. In order to decrease the risk of becoming infected with Anaplasmosis as a result of a tick bite, individuals should practice preventative measures when going outdoors.
Primary prevention is aimed at preventing the disease process from ever occurring. One example of primary prevention is before going outdoors into wooded and grassy areas, apply insect repellant containing 20 percent or higher of DEET to exposed skin (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2017). In addition to applying DEET spray, individuals should perform a tick check after being outdoors. Particular attention should be taken to inspect under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and on the hairline and scalp (CDC,