What Is Colorado Tick Fever?

Colorado tick feveris a viral infection transmitted through a bite from an infectedDermacentor andersoniwood tick. This tick species is more commonly referred to as the Rocky Mountain wood tick.

蜱虫小布朗寄生虫最通讯only found in wooded areas and fields. They need blood from animals and humans in order to survive. Unfortunately, they are often carriers of certain diseases, and they can pass these diseases on to the people they bite. Colorado tick fever is one of the many diseases that ticks may transmit.

Colorado tick fever is limited to Canada and the western United States. The disease is most prevalent in the state of Colorado. Incidence of Colorado tick fever is highest between February and October, with90%of cases being reported between April and July. You are at an increased risk for the disease if you spend time outdoors in tick-infested areas.

症状of Colorado tick fever may include headaches, fever, and chills. These symptoms often begin within three to six days after a tick bite occurs. This period of time is referred to as the incubation period. Once symptoms develop, they usually go away within 10 days. Treatment is rarely required, and most people make a full recovery without complications.

Colorado tick fever is sometimes referred to as mountain tick fever or American mountain fever.

科罗拉多壁虱发烧的症状包括:

  • 发烧至105°F
  • chills
  • 严重的头痛
  • 光灵敏度
  • 肌肉疼痛
  • skin tenderness
  • 食欲不振
  • 恶心
  • vomiting
  • 腹痛
  • weakness and fatigue
  • 皮疹

重要的是要注意,科罗拉多壁虱发烧的症状至少需要三天才能发展。如果您在咬伤后立即遇到症状,那么您的症状可能是由另一种情况引起的。如果您出现严重的科罗拉多tick虫发烧症状,或者您的症状在一周内无法改善,则应与医生交谈。

科罗拉多壁虱发烧是由科罗拉多tick虫发烧病毒引起的。该病毒是通过受感染壁虱的咬伤传播的。科罗拉多壁虱病毒的主要载体是落基山木壁虱,最常见于美国西部。它通常住在高海拔5,000英尺以上的林区。

您的医生可以通过进行体格检查并进行各种实验室测试来进行科罗拉多州的tick热诊断。这些测试可能包括:

Complement Fixation Antibody Test

This test determines whether antibodies to the Colorado tick fever virus are present in the blood. Antibodies are special proteins that help fight off harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. If antibodies to the Colorado tick fever virus are found, then a Colorado tick fever diagnosis is made.

Complete Blood Count

This is a broad screening test that measures the amount of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the body. It is a simple blood test that can help doctors determine the exact cause of symptoms.

Liver Function Tests

These tests evaluate how well the liver is working by measuring levels of proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin in the blood. Colorado tick fever can affect the liver, so impaired liver function may be a sign of the disease.

没有针对科罗拉多壁虱发烧的特定治疗方法。症状发生后,它们通常在10天内独自消失。发烧和肌肉疼痛可以用乙酰氨基酚(例如泰诺和其他疼痛缓解药物)治疗。得到充足的休息和保持水分也很重要。

您还需要尽快删除tick。如果您无法从皮肤上取下整个滴答,请致电医生。

You should never attempt to remove ticks using lit matches, alcohol, or petroleum jelly. These methods may cause the tick to release the pathogen that causes Colorado tick fever.

从皮肤上取下滴答的最安全方法是使用微调镊子。您可以通过执行以下操作来删除tick:

  • 如果有一些橡胶或乳胶手套。如果您没有手套,请在手指上放置纸巾或纸巾。
  • 用镊子尽可能靠近皮肤抓住tick虫,然后稳定地向上拉起。使用扭曲或抽动运动可能会导致滴答打破。如果发生这种情况,将很难去除身体的其余部分。尽量不要挤压壁虱的身体。
  • 用肥皂和水洗手并咬合。

Put the tick in a plastic bag in your freezer, making note of the date. If you become ill, the tick can help your doctor make a diagnosis more easily.

科罗拉多壁虱发烧很少引起并发症。但是,在某些情况下,该疾病可能导致:

  • 脑炎, which is an inflammation of the brain tissue
  • 脑膜炎,这是大脑和脊髓中膜的炎症
  • hemorrhagic fever, which damages the blood vessels as well as various organs

Hospitalization may be required if complications occur.

您可以通过避免以tick虫感染而闻名的区域来降低滴答叮咬的风险。当您在可能有壁虱的区域时,请确保穿合适的衣服。这包括闭合的鞋子,塞进袜子的长裤和长袖衬衫。穿浅色衣服也可能是有益的,因为在深色衣服上很难看到壁虱。佩戴驱虫剂也有效地保持tick虫。

After spending time in an area where ticks live, make sure you check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks before returning indoors. Ticks that are embedded in the skin should be removed with tweezers immediately.