Disease-carrying ticks

Ticks are parasites common to different species of mammals, including humans, and can also live on the skin of birds and reptiles. They cause diseases using different pathogenic mechanisms.

Blood-sucking arthropods, such as ticks, are found distributed throughout the planet, since... tick-borne disease there is a high incidence on a global scale. Your vital function is based on parasitizing an organism., which is coupled with the ability to act as an intermediary in different infectious processes.

The most common way to cause diseases of Acari Ixodidea occurs during feed, since transmits pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, helminths, protozoa, and viruses.

Types of tick-borne diseases

In addition to transmitting microorganisms capable of making animal organisms sick, it is common for the following to occur at the site of the bite: hypersensitivity reactionsas well as systemic reactions of the anaphylactic type (anaphylaxisIt is possible, in extreme cases, to cause neurotoxic paralysis caused by the transmission of neurotoxins.

As a general rule, the most direct and immediate damages are the local trauma, which happens in itself skin, as well as in the subcutaneous cellular tissueThis is due to the skin breaking so they can feed. Conversely, if the parasitism is not stopped, it will spread, becoming generalized, and can lead to severe anemia resulting from blood loss.

There are two types of ticks; os hard They are widely distributed throughout the planet and are the most common causes of infectious diseases in wealthy countries. And ticks... brandosThese are the parasites that cause relapsing endemic fever, which is very common in low-income or rural areas. These are the most common diseases transmitted by ticks to people.

Botanical or exanthematous fever:

It is characterized by the sudden appearance of high fever, arthritis (pain in a joint and the muscles surrounding it) photophobia (abnormal intolerance to light due to the pain produced by the disease) and general malaiseThe bite appears as a black spot that, in some cases, is visible before fever develops. Hundreds of cases are diagnosed annually, with an incubation period of 4 to 21 days. The rash (dark spot from the bite) can suppurate and even lead to gangrene.

Debonel

The acronym for "Dermacentor-borne-necrosis-erythema-lymphadenopathy" possibly means one of the most widespread tick-borne infections around the world todayUnlike most diseases transmitted by these insects, debonel occurs during the colder months of the year. It usually spreads more easily among children and, interestingly, among women. Over 90% of these bites occur on the scalp and 100% on the upper body. (The reason for this phenomenon is unknown). With a relatively short incubation period (1 to 15 days), a larger wound is observed than that produced by botanical fever. And 50% of patients present with prolonged fever and pain in the area of ​​the bite.

Lyme disease:

In this case, it is a process that It affects several organs and systems at the same time.It is produced by different genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi. Erythema migrans, a lesion that appears in the early stages of the disease, is the marker that warns of infection and usually appears 1 to 15 days after the bite. The erythema has an annular appearance, reaching a size of up to 7 centimeters. The symptoms presented, although in a very small percentage, are general malaise, arthralgia, low-grade fever, and conjunctivitis.

Human anaplasmosis:

Produced by the tick I. ricinus, characterized by causing a fever syndrome a few days after being bitten by a tickIt manifests at the muscular and skeletal level as if it were a flu-like process. If laboratory tests are performed, it is possible to find low production of leukocytes (leukopenia), low platelet count (thrombopenia). It is also possible that there is an increase in transaminases and C-reactive protein.

Spotted fever and the Rocky Mountains:

FMMR is transmitted by ticks, but is caused by a microbe: Rickettsia. The relationship with cases is directly proportional to the exposure maintained with pets or environments infested with ticks. And its The infection comes from the bite of one of these infected rickettsia insects. It can also occur due to skin contamination with feces or blood from this tick. Symptoms generally appear two weeks after the bite, and include a sudden (moderate to high) fever lasting two to three weeks, headaches and muscle aches, chills, rashes, fatigue... The rashes can quickly spread throughout the body, starting on the legs and arms, where they usually begin. The positive aspect is that... FMMR creates permanent immunity after recovery from an attack..

The importance of preventing ticks in homes:

Preventing tick infestations is quite easy. When you have pets at home, it's necessary to clean their living spaces regularly. Hygiene should also include the animals themselves, through baths with appropriate products and inspections of their usual areas.