Lyme’s Disease
Lyme’s Disease is becoming a common occurrence in the USA. Tick bites can cause lifelong illnesses and can be avoided with more attention when you are outdoors. Lyme’s disease is caused by a bacteria called borrelia bacteria.
Mosquito Diseases
Added to this are mosquito bites can also cause diseases although different to tick bites like malaria, dengue fever and many others. Malaria is caused by the Anopheles mosquito. The incubation period for symptoms ranges between 7 – 30 days.
How to manage Tick Bites
Knowing where ticks dominate the environment is a start to avoiding getting bitten by ticks. Ticks thrive in grassy wooded areas.
Avoid areas that have high grass and use paths if possible while walking through wooded areas. Depending on where you are in the country, ticks could be more prominent in those areas. The CDC has conducted research on where ticks are dominant in the USA.
Number of ED visits for tick bites in USA (2024)
| USA Region | EED Visits for tick Bites |
| West | 13 |
| South Central | 9 |
| Midwest | 60 |
| Northeast | 86 |
| Southeast | 30 |
| TOTAL | 44 |
The same strategy should be adopted for mosquito bites. Mosquitoes live all through the USA territories. They tend to live in muddy and areas with a lot of water. They come out late in the day and night.
The CDC has indicated that vector borne diseases have increased in 2024 with 1 million cases registered between 2001 – 2003.
What are some of the risk factors of vector borne diseases?
No one is immune to getting bitten by a tick or a mosquito although some people attract ticks or mosquitoes more than others.
Risk factors for individuals are higher in some of these circumstances:
- People who spend a lot of time is areas where these vector borne carriers.
- Older adults
- People who have a weakened immune system
- Animals and pets, birds, cattle etc.
- Children
What are some of the symptoms of these vector borne diseases?
Lyme’s Disease Symptoms
Lyme’s disease can produce the following symptoms especially if they are left untreated between 3 – 30 days after a bite. A clear sign of the disease manifests itself with a rash at times that is a red circle that spreads. The center of the circle will have a ‘eye’.
The disease gets worse depending on the duration of the infection. There are different stages and progression of the disease.
Early-Stage symptoms:
- Fever, chills, headache
- Rash, swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Facial Paralysis
- Arthritis
- Heart issues
Second Stage symptoms:
In the second stage, if left untreated, will develop into more serious symptoms.
- Rash spreads to other body areas
- Facial muscle weakness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pain in hips and legs
- Pain in the eye area including swelling of the lids
- Development of next pain and stiffness
Third Stage Symptoms
At this stage the disease has progressed significantly. The same symptoms occur but the human body is further burdened with the symptoms that last longer. If the symptoms do not stay long, it is still better to get checked and have tests done to determine that the person is not free of the disease. See your medical professional and get a blood test to check if you have the disease.
Symptoms of Malaria
Malaria symptoms range significantly from mild to severe. If you are travelling to countries that have a dominance of malaria, you should get see your physician for guidance.
Some symptoms of malaria include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Headache and fatigue
More severe symptoms include anemia and jaundice and can develop into kidney failure and seizures if not treated.
Laboratory Testing for Lyme’s & mosquito borne diseases.
SmarTest Labs uses state of the art testing for Lyme’s disease and mosquito borne diseases. We test using CDC’s guidelines and we use FDA’s approved antibody tests which provide indication of Lyme’s disease 4 – 6 weeks after infection. This antibody test is sensitive and provides results for a long period of time (months and years) even after the bacteria is not present.
It is best to address symptoms early even if you are unsure. Waiting longer can cause more complications and impacts to the heart and nervous system.
Call us at 301-686-8566 (OR) use the attached link to contact us and will be return your inquiry:
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