tuzyra1 / Depositphotos.com
As tick season ramps up across Wisconsin, health experts are encouraging residents to take precautions against tick bites and the illnesses they can spread.
In our Focus on Health with ThedaCare we spoke with Dr. William Kumprey , Emergency Medicine Physician, ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh.
Dr. Kumprey explained how deer ticks, commonly found in wooded and grassy areas, can carry diseases including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Dr. Kumprey says Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne illness in the region.
Early symptoms may include
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Bull’s-eye rash
If left untreated, the infection can lead to more serious complications involving the joints, heart and nervous system.
Health professionals recommend using insect repellent, performing thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors and removing ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers. Anyone who has a concern about a tick bite, they can schedule an appointment with a health care provider by visiting MyThedaCare.
