Vanessa Abrahamson Blog: Ticks are the truth in Colorado

The months of spring and early summer is the ideal time to get ticks in Colorado. Avoiding ticks is crucial when you are taking a walk in the great outdoors, in the area where Colorado ticks can be plentiful.

They’re small, clingy and sitting on the grass and in the shrubs around you. The tick season for Colorado is upon us. Even though ticks aren’t big however, they can still pack deadly punches.

“Ticks can carry multiple different infection-causing agents: bacterial, viral, parasites,” explained Dr. Phaedra FEGLEY, a family medicine doctor in Steamboat Springs and a staff member of the UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. “Within minutes of biting you, they’ve released their saliva and whatever it’s carrying.”

Being aware of ticks could cause your skin to itch but keep reading to stay protected. Fegley provides the information you should know regarding ticks and health.

Important information regarding ticks in Colorado

There are around 30 tick species in Colorado and the most prevalent of which is ticks like the Rocky Mountain wood tick and the American dog tick. The activity of ticks is highest during spring and the beginning of summer, but ticks may be active all entire year. The altitude of the tick isn’t a guarantee. Ticks can be found at altitudes as high as 10,000 feet.

What is Colorado tick fever?

Colorado tick fever (CTF) is a rare disease that is caused by the CTF virus. CTF virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected tick. The most common symptoms of CTF are fever, chills, headache, body aches, and feeling tired.

How do people get infected with Colorado tick fever virus?

Colorado tick fever virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). It is important to perform tick checks after spending time outdoors and removing ticks before they have a chance to attach. The virus is not spread from person to person, except in rare instances by blood transfusion. Learn more about preventing tick bites here.

Where and when have most cases of Colorado tick fever occurred?

Colorado tick fever (CTF) occurs in people who live in or visit areas of the western United States and western Canada that are 4,000–10,000 feet above sea level. Most cases of CTF occur during spring or summer months when ticks are most active.

Who is at risk for infection with Colorado tick fever virus?

Anyone bitten by a tick in an area where the virus is circulating can get infected with Colorado tick fever virus. People who work outdoors or participate in outdoor activities are most likely to be exposed to ticks.

How soon do people get sick after getting bitten by an infected tick?

The incubation period (time from tick bite to onset of illness) ranges from 1 to 14 days.

What are the symptoms of Colorado tick fever?

The most common symptoms are fever, chills, headache, body aches, and feeling tired. Some patients will have sore throat, vomiting, abdominal pain, skin rash, or stiff neck. About half of all people who develop symptoms of Colorado tick fever virus have several days of fever followed by several days of improvement, then a second short period of fever and illness.

How is Colorado tick fever diagnosed?

Preliminary diagnosis is based on a patient’s symptoms and history of probable exposure to a tick in an area where Colorado tick fever (CTF) occurs. Laboratory tests typically detect CTF virus genetic material (RNA) or antibodies against the virus in blood.

What is the treatment for Colorado tick fever?

There is no specific medication to treat Colorado tick fever. Severe illnesses are treated by supportive care which may include medications to reduce pain and fever, hospitalization, and intravenous fluids.

How can I reduce the chance of getting infected with Colorado tick fever virus?

There is no vaccine to prevent Colorado tick fever (CTF). The best way to prevent CTF is to reduce your risk of tick bites.

Tick-borne illnesses

Does Colorado have ticks? In Colorado the most prevalent tick-borne diseases include Colorado Tick fever and Tick-borne Relapsing Fever. Contrary to its name, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is uncommon in Colorado.

However, it is true that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists only nine instances related to Lyme diseases within Colorado during 2019. (the latest year that data is available) and none of the cases originating in Colorado Health experts say that there are limitations in surveillance data and issues with the under-reporting of Lyme disease. Therefore, it’s important to be vigilant about the spread of tick-borne diseases.

“Symptoms can be mild and feel as if you’ve got the flu. It is possible to experience the body aches, fever, and chills. The joints are painful. Then it goes away,” Fegley said. “And the immune systems of people differ. A person could be extremely sick, whereas another could appear to be suffering from some illness over a few days.”

Tips to prevent tick bites and tick-borne illnesses

Ticks are found along the edges of forests and prefer to remain near the tops of the plants or near the edges of grasses, so that they can quickly latch onto anything that passes close to. They are able to sense the body temperature carbon dioxide as well as body odor, vibrations and vibrations. They can also jump.

Put on tall socks or wrap your pants into socks. Choose lighter clothes so that the dark ticks stand out. Wear clothing that has been coated with DEET or permethrin to deter ticks. You can also apply repellents that are appropriate to the skin and body, like the oil of lemon Eucalyptus. Since no repellent can be guaranteed to work You should check for ticks following having been outside.

“As soon as you’re home, throw your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes to dislodge or kill any ticks,” Fegley explained. “Shower and do a tick check, starting with your scalp and working your way down to check all the crevices of the body.”

Take care to clean up the leaf litter and mowing your lawn frequently. Take steps to avoid ticks of your pets, as they could carry ticks inside.

Removal of ticks

If you spot an insect bite in your body eliminate it as soon as you can. Use tweezers , or fingers to hold this tick close enough to the body that it is is possible then swiftly pull it upwards.

“Be careful not to squeeze the body or crush the head, as you can squirt more of its salvia into your body,” Fegley stated.

When should you see the doctor regarding ticks

Because ticks aren’t big and small, it’s very easy to overlook their presence.

“But if someone says, ‘I’ve been out hiking in the woods and three to 10 days later, I came down with this horrible illness,’ it’s worth seeing your medical provider and getting tested,” Fegley told the media.

If you spot an insect bite within your body Fegley suggests saving the tick and transferring it to one of the companies that study ticks to discover what illnesses they could be carrying.

Don’t let ticks keep you inside all summer long.

“Take steps to prevent bites and check yourself after being outside,” Fegley advised. “Ticks shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the outdoors.”

For more details about ticks and the prevention of bites from ticks, Fegley suggests learning more on Colorado Tick Fever. While bug repellants do not necessarily work against ticks, it is possible to read Environmental Working Group’s suggestions regarding safe repellants. If you happen to take an insect from your body, you are able to take it to the lab for testing.

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