Outdoor Safety: Bite Back Against Summer Insects

Unfortunately, the summer months do have a downfall—the warmth and humid weather is the perfect breeding ground for ticks and mosquitoes. With more time being spent outside camping, hiking, gardening, or even grilling out, the chances of exposure to these insects increase.

These pests are more than an annoyance. Some can carry illnesses that can cause long-term health issues if not treated!

What to watch for:

• Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other infections
• Mosquitoes are known for spreading West Nile virus and other rare but dangerous illnesses

Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness (human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses, and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and snails) in the United States. Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks—commonly known as deer ticks.

Early signs include fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and an obvious bullseye-shaped rash. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system, which leads to more severe complications.

Recent trends: Lyme disease has been increasing at a steady rate, particularly in the northeastern and upper Midwestern United States. The rise of the disease can include the growing deer populations and development happening in wooded areas, which increases human exposure to ticks.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a severe, tick-borne illness caused by bacteria. It’s transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, such as the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the brown dog tick.

Early signs include a high fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle aches. An obvious, spotted rash often develops a few days after the fever begins. Without prompt treatment, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be fatal.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can lead to neurological diseases in humans. It’s primarily spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes, which get the virus from feeding on infected birds.

Most people infected with the West Nile virus experience no symptoms. About 20% develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches. Less than 1% develop severe neurological illnesses, such as encephalitis or meningitis (both can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites).

Recent trends: West Nile virus has become an epidemic in the United States, with annual cases reported nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2024, there were 1,466 total cases, with 1,063 cases affecting the neurological system. Texas leads in cases with 176 reported, and Ohio with 14.

Protect yourself when you go outdoors with the following tips:

• Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellents with DEET (a chemical mixture used as an insect repellent) or picaridin (a synthetic insect repellent)
• Wear long sleeves and pants when hiking or walking in wooded or tall grass areas
• Do tick checks after coming indoors, especially under your arms, behind ears, and along the hairline
• Remove ticks with tweezers as soon as possible and monitor symptoms
• Eliminate standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed

Seek medical treatment as soon as possible if:

• A tick has been attached for more than 24 hours
• You develop flu-like symptoms, rash, or fever
• A bite site becomes red, swollen, or infected
• You’re unsure what bit you and you have concerns

Even mild symptoms can indicate something serious. Our advice? It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Our teams at our Physician’s Care Express locations can help!

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