area emergency rooms are seeing more patients with tick bites
WTOP • • general
Key Points:
- The CDC reports a higher-than-normal rate of tick bites in the U.S., with emergency room visits for tick bites at their highest weekly level since 2017.
- Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the D.C. region, and symptoms can include a characteristic rash, headaches, neck pain, facial palsy, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
- A tick must be attached for 24 to 48 hours to transmit illness, and symptoms of Lyme disease typically appear within three to 30 days after the bite.
- Preventative measures include treating clothing with permethrin, using DEET-based repellents, and performing frequent tick checks after outdoor activities to remove ticks before they attach.
- Individuals who suspect a tick bite or exhibit symptoms after outdoor exposure in tick-prone areas are advised to seek medical attention promptly.
