Eeewwww Ticks!
Well it’s that time of year! Spring is here, weather is nice, and oh yeah those ticks are out. Locally here in Orange County it has recently been confirmed that the Rocky Mountain Spotted fever has been found in a tick here at local trails. The tick was found two months ago at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and is considered to not be an isolated incident.
The disease, which can be fatal in 3 to 7 percent of human cases, is characterized by high fever, nausea and especially a rash. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial infection that’s transmitted to people by tick bites. It is not transferred from person to person.
There are many symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Initial symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever initial include:
A sudden fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Muscle pain
Loss of appetite
Later symptoms include:
Rash
Abdominal pain
Joint pain
Diarrhea
Rocky mountain spotted fever is usually treated with antibiotics, a fever reducer and pain medication.
Click here for more information. Also thanks to the Warriors Society for the heads up.
Typically I am told that if you just stay on the trail while riding you shouldn’t have tick issues.
