Thursday, April 22, 2010

New Tick Carrying Disease!

Hi my friends,
I am sorry to have not posted any new material for a few weeks. My wife had a knee replacement surgery and I have been busy attending to her needs. I am posting an article that you will want to read. Scientists believe there is a new disease caused by ticks. I hope you find it informative. Thanks go to the Wbkt.com folks for the info.

Be well,
Richard


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Scientists Worry About New Tick-Carrying Disease
Posted: Apr 20, 2010 4:40 PM MDT Updated: Apr 20, 2010 6:07 PM MDT
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Reported by Kristen Elicerio
Email: kelicerio@wkbt.com

Tick season is here. This year, in addition to the commonly known lyme disease, area scientists are concerned about a newer, more severe one.

It's a bacterial infection called anaplasmosis. It's something that attacks a human's central nervous system.

A tick is a host of anaplasmosis just like they are of the familiar lyme disease. When they bite the disease is transferred.

Symptoms of lyme disease are gradual, beginning with a rash or muscle ache. Symptoms of anaplasmosis are a little more severe, starting with an intense headache that quickly gets worse.

Because ticks can carry both diseases, prevention for both is following common tips that many are already aware of.

"Wearing long pants. Making sure that you have white socks on, because then when you lift up your pants and look at your socks you can see anything like a tick or any other hitchhiker," said Stephanie Hanna, Conservation and Education Manager of Myrick Hixon Ecopark.

Experts say spraying large areas for ticks is not very effective, but that spraying yourself for protection is. To keep ticks away they recommend a bug spray with at least a 30 percent concentration of DEET.
If you do happen to get a tick bite, there is a proper way to remove them.
"The secret to it is to try to dig it out. And not to get the body part, but to get as close into the mouth part as you can, clamp it well and pull it out," said Dave Geske, Vector Control Manager for La Crosse County.

Ticks can sense the movement of humans and other large animals from about six to 12 feet away. If a tick is still roaming around when you find it, it hasn't latched on yet, and you just need to remove it from your skin.

Area scientists will be conducting studies this summer to learn more about anaplasmosis and determine exactly in what areas ticks are carriers of the disease.

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About Me

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Pueblo, Colorado, United States
I am a Chronic Lyme disease patient. I was bitten by a tick in 2001 and have been very sick ever since. Subsequently, you could say I am a Lyme disease junkie.I thirst for any information about it,any treatments, research etc. It has been a life altering experience, which has kept me away from our business and at home most of the time. I use to own A-1 Barricade and Sign Inc. here in Pueblo, Co, but because of the Lyme disease, my sons are running the business for the most part with my wife. I have been married for 48 years to a wonderful woman who is also my best friend. We have five children, all grown. Four boys live here in Pueblo and my only daughter lives in Bonney Lake, Washington. We miss her a lot. I have 7 grandchildren, which are the greatest of all. They are all exceptionally beautiful! The last thing you need to know about me is that I am proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Because of this I have the knowledge that life is eternal and that it does not end here, but it will go on after death because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This truth I bear witness of!