Summer Safety
With Memorial Day coming this weekend, I’m thinking of summer safety. Pools are opening, folks will be going outside and will be exposed to ticks and mosquitos, sunburns, cuts and scrapes, sprains and strains.
Let’s take a look at the ounces of prevention you can start applying this weekend that will make the difference all summer long…
Source: Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov
Infectious diseases
My main concern for infectious disease in the summer months (beyond the seasonal viral syndromes that tend to hit little kids) are vector-borne disease that can be completely preventable. The “vector” is simply an insect or animal that carries disease to humans or other animals. In my neck of the woods, the main two are ticks and mosquitoes.
Ticks
Believe it or not, humans and their domestic counterparts can equally be affected by tick borne disease. My dog got what I believe was a Lone Star tick bite last May and got so ill it took him 8 months to fully recover!
Ticks carry several diseases in the U.S. In Oklahoma, where I practice, the big three are anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The ticks that carry these illnesses include:
lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) : Erlichiosis
american dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis ) : Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia
brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis ): Anaplasmosis, Lyme disease
The incubation period for the development of illness from infected ticks is about 1-2 weeks after the bite. Generalized symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, feeling generally crummy, nauseated, achy and sometimes a characteristic rash are what should prompt you to seek medical care. The very old and very young are particularly vulnerable to encephalitis from these illnesses, so try to seek early antibiotics while you wait to confirm the diagnosis!
PREVENTION:
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks, hats and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Additional repellent options are available. EPA’s repellent search toolExternal can help find the product that best suits your needs
Treat dogs and cats for ticks as recommended by a veterinarian.
Check for ticks daily, especially under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and on the hairline and scalp.
Shower soon after being outdoors
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/tick-bites-prevention.html
REMOVAL
Should be done carefully with a pair of tweezers as soon as you find a tick:
2. Mosquitoes
Before Zika virus, the world has forever struggled with deadly diseases spread by the mosquito. Yellow fever, malaria, Dengue fever are all exotic sounding diseases, but are you aware of the mosquito borne diseases documented in Oklahoma?
West Nile Virus
Our friend the mosquito is responsible for spreading this illness between birds and people as well as other animals. After decades of documented outbreaks in the Mediterranean and Europe, it was first described in the U.S. in New York City after flocks of dead crows and jays were noticed in 1999. West Nile is spread from infected mosquitoes from its natural host, birds, causing symptoms in only about 2/10 infected persons after a 5-14 day incubation period. When symptoms are apparent, 1 in 5 people will experience mild symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most of these people recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. About 1 in 150 people will have a serious infection with symptoms of encephalitis, or brain inflammation. These also occur within a 5-14 days incubation period. Those > age 60 are most vulnerable to this type of infection. Symptoms of severe illness include: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Diagnosis is confirmed by antibody testing. Treatment is supportive care and in severe cases, hospitalization.
By far, West Nile Virus is the most “common” mosquito borne disease reported in Oklahoma, but last year there were only 18 confirmed cases and one death.
Western Equine Encephalitis
This virus has not seen human activity thus far in the state of Oklahoma in years, but there are sporadic cases of veterinary infection from WEE every year. There have been confirmed cases of both infections in our bordering states to the south and east in the past year.
Symptoms of WEE are similar to the severe cases of West Nile Encephalitis.
Zika Virus
Zika virus hasn’t taken a foothold in Oklahoma yet per CDC reporting. However, you may be traveling to “endemic” areas such as the coast or Caribbean and need to be aware of what you could be bringing home…
Symptoms of Zika include fever, malaise, joint pain, rash and sometimes pink eye. Most people, even pregnant women, will have no symptoms. The greatest health risk to date is to the undeveloped fetus, but it is not clear when during development infection will cause brain malformation, known as microcephaly. Zika virus can also be spread through sex with infected partners and cause infection during pregnancy. Rarely, Zika virus can cause Guillan-Barre syndrome, a neurologic condition that causes ascending paralysis and even death.
PREVENTION
Control mosquitoes in your environment by removing standing sources of water where mosquitoes breed. This includes old cans, tires, pots, french drains, kiddy pools, children’s toys that are left outside, etc. You can treat areas where you know water tends to stand with dissolving tablets.
Avoid exposure to areas where mosquitoes like to live: cool, dark places
If you will be exposed, wear sleeves and pants and wear a topical mosquito repellant. Good choices for very young children that you don’t want to expose to DEET include citronella sprays, clip on repellants or stand alone units that use CO2 as an attractant and can be placed in the yard/camp site to keep them away.
Accidents and Injury
Everybody stands to get hurt in the summer, simply because we’re more physically active doing riskier things. “Weekend Warrior” can be taken to a completely new level in summer months and over-use injuries, sprains, strains, fractures and lacerations are common. Just ask folks that work in the ER or urgent care!
Common sense goes a long way in preventing serious injury from accidents. Don’t take risks if you are not properly trained on watercraft, lawn equipment or BBQ grills (really). Plan activities for your actual activity level. Watch your children, particularly around water. Wear protective gear. Wear sunscreen and re-apply every 2 hours. Make sure you provide yourself and your family members plenty of fluids on hot days. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to heat and dehydration. Make provision for frequent breaks when you are working out in the heat.
First Aid Kit Essentials
This is what I carry around in my purse:
Tablet pain reliever like ibuprofen/acetaminophen (oral dissolve works great for kids), band-aids, antiseptic wet wipe, triple antibiotic ointment.
This is what I carry on vacation:
The above plus: anti-itch cream/lotion like Caladryl Clear, over the counter hydrocortisone cream, butterfly closure strips, Bactine spray cleanser, roll gauze, a small roll of Coban self-adhesive bandage, a small ACE bandage, & Nu Skin liquid bandage. If you have any I also bring along anti-nausea medication.
I hope these tips help to keep your family safe and sound this summer. Leave comments on your own First Aid Kit components or other ways you can help your neighbors stay safe.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Dr. Lydia