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Rocky Mountain spotted fever
200 to 400 Oklahoma cases yearly. Transmitted by American dog tick. Symptoms: fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain within three to 14 days after a tick bite. a fine, bumpy, red rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet may occur or spread to other parts of the body, but not always.
About 100 Oklahoma cases yearly. Transmitted by the Lone Star tick. Symptoms: fever, headache, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain. about 20 percent of patients develop a rash. Risk greater for people over 50, or those with compromised immune systems.
Twenty or fewer Oklahoma cases yearly. Commonly called rabbit fever and transmitted by dog or Lone Star ticks or handling infected wild animals, especially rabbits. Symptoms: high fever, chills, fatigue, general body aches, headache, and nausea within one to 14 days. also may include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, eye infections, severe sore throat, intestinal problems and lung infection.
Few Oklahoma cases yearly. Transmitted by black-legged tick. Symptoms: circular or “bull’s-eye” red rash around or near the bite, fever, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes three to 30 days after the tick bite. More severe symptoms of swelling and pain in large joints, painful arthritis, central nervous system and heart abnormalities can appear years later.
If children or adults are outside, check the scalp, base of the neck, armpits, groin area and behind the knees for ticks every couple of hours. a tick generally has to be attached for a couple hours to secrete saliva and transmit disease. Remove ticks safely with tweezers, forceps or by covering the fingers with tissue and pulling the tick straight back. Spray skin and clothing with a tick repellent that includes DEET.
SOURCES: DR. KRISTY BRADLEY; STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT