Author: Kara Carter, M.D, Pediatrics, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Katy Clinic
The Bugs Are Back in Town!
Spring has come and gone, and we’re just about ready to head into the hot, humid summer. The rapidly changing seasons have sprung unwelcome visitors – that’s right, the bugs are back in town.
While there are a whole host of creepy crawlers we recommend you avoid, the most common ones known to transmit disease are ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.
What You Need to Know
Most people are aware that ticks may transmit Lyme disease – but did you know these arachnids can also carry other pathogens? Ticks have been known to transmit babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, Southern tick-associated rash illness, tick-borne relapsing fever, tularemia, and more.
Similarly, mosquitoes are widely known to transmit West Nile virus – but these pesky insects may also pass along Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue virus, and more, all of which may be found along the Gulf Coast and in the state of Texas.
Texas reports the highest rate of flea-borne typhus in the U.S., and flea-borne typhus is now endemic to Harris County. Rats are the primary source of flea-borne typhus (murine typhus) although it can also be transmitted by opossums, cats, and other small mammals carrying infected fleas.
While the list of conditions may be long, the real takeaway here is that these insects and arachnids pose a risk and we should do what we can to protect ourselves, and our loved ones, from them.
Avoid Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Fleas if You Can
To avoid the dangers of these insects and ticks, it’s important to protect yourself if you’re in areas where they are common – especially in the woods or high grass.
The best way to prevent flea-borne conditions is to treat the animals in your care and to avoid contact with stray/feral animals, including rodents.
If you find yourself spending time in heavily wooded areas, be sure to tuck the legs of your pants into your socks and wear long sleeves to prevent ticks from attaching to the skin. Once you return home, search your body for ticks, especially behind your knees, along your hairline, behind your ears, in your belly button, and under your arms.
One of the best methods of protection against ticks and mosquitoes is using insect repellent containing DEET. DEET is FDA approved for use on children with no age restriction, as long as you follow the label instructions for use of the product.
Its also important to look for the concentration of DEET in the repellent you choose. The concentration of DEET in a product indicates how long the product will be effective; a higher concentration means it will be effective for a longer period of time (up to 30%), not that it will work better. Many products labeled for children containing a lower concentration of DEET may need to be reapplied, depending on the length of time spent outdoors. Check your preferred repellant for specified duration of protection.
Additionally, dressing in loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing, wearing socks and shoes instead of sandals, wearing muted colors, and avoiding scented lotions or perfumes may also help reduce the risk of tick and insect bites.
Summer vacations may also mean travel to a foreign country. I recommended that anyone traveling to a foreign country visit www.cdc.gov/travel to learn about all vector-borne illnesses circulating in the intended destination and the measures you may need to take before traveling to protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you are traveling and are in need of travel health advice, a Kelsey-Seybold Travel Medicine expert may be able to help identify and administer vaccines and medications for your proposed itinerary.
When to See a Doctor
Even with all the precautions you take, it is still possible to be bitten by a mosquito, tick, or flea. If you have recently been in the woods, in contact with animals that may have fleas, or spent more time outdoors, watch for symptoms. If you are feeling fatigued, have a fever with or without a rash, or are suffering from headaches, make an appointment to see your doctor.