Ticks are a common problem in summer and fall thanks to their bite. Tick bites can put you and your family at risk of getting tick-borne diseases, including Powassan virus. Here’s what you should know about this disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Powassan Virus
This virus, which is related to the West Nile virus, doesn’t always cause noticeable signs and symptoms. You might not even realize that you’ve been bitten by a tick and have this virus. If you develop an infection, though, you’ll start experiencing symptoms in one to three weeks. These symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache and weakness.
More serious symptoms include seizures and memory loss if the virus infects your brain. Keep in mind that ticks only need to feed for as little as 15 minutes to transmit this virus.
Treatments for Powassan Virus
You might not need treatment if you don’t exhibit any symptoms. However, more serious cases might require hospitalization that includes respiratory support and IV fluids. You can’t prevent Powassan virus, but you can reduce your risk of becoming infected by protecting yourself. This includes wearing light-colored clothes and applying tick repellent to keep these bugs at bay. You might also need NJ pest control services to rid your property of these pests.
If you have ticks around your property, call Allison Pest Control for help. Our NJ pest control services can eliminate these disease-carrying bugs from your yard.