WELCOME to summer in the Northern Hemisphere, with all its fun in the sun – and little critters that want to take a bite out of you. In South China, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease and is transmitted by ticks. People who contract Lyme disease may experience temporary symptoms similar to the flu, such as muscle aches, fever and headache. They also may develop a rash and have joint pain. The concern with Lyme is that some untreated patients progress to having long-term symptoms. These can be severe and debilitating and include ongoing nerve pain, facial paralysis and abnormal heart function. Therefore, it’s important to prevent tick bites in the first place. If you are in an area known to have Lyme, you should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when hiking. Use insect repellent that contains the ingredient DEET. After the activity, examine carefully for ticks. If you have young children and pets, take the time to examine them as well. If you find a tick, remove it, save it for identification purposes in a small jar and see a doctor. Early antibiotic therapy can prevent you from developing Lyme disease. Also, if you end up developing symptoms, get tested right away. Antibiotic treatment can reduce the progression to chronic symptoms. Mosquitoes too can transmit a lot of diseases to humans including the West Nile virus, dengue and malaria. To reduce their chance of getting bitten by mosquitoes, people are advised to cover their arms and legs with clothes when possible. Clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin can provide an added layer of protection. During peak mosquito season, it’s wise to use screens on windows and doors to reduce the mosquitoes in your home. Check for items around your home that could hold water — such as buckets, trash containers, and toys— and empty and wash them at least once a week, as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.(SD-Agencies) | 