Colorado tick fever

Colorado Tick Fever (CTF)

Description Colorado tick fever

Колорадская клещевая лихорадка – инфекция, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick.

Causes Colorado tick fever

Colorado tick fever caused by a virus, which falls to person through the bite of an infected tick. This mite lives in many Western states of the US (not only CO).

The virus can also carry other small mammals, including ground squirrels, dikobrazy and the Chipmunks. There have been reports of rare cases of Colorado tick fever infection in the laboratory and blood transfusion.

Risk Factors Colorado tick fever

Risk factors include:

• A trip in mountain forests growing at more than 1600 meters in the western US states (eg, Colorado, Jute, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon);
• It is in these areas during the period from April to July.

Symptoms of Colorado tick fever

These symptoms, except Colorado tick fever, They may be caused by other, less dangerous diseases. Symptoms, which usually appear 4-5 days after the tick bite and can last for three weeks, They include:

• Hyperthermia;
• Chills;
• Strong headache;
• Pain behind the eyes;
• Sensitivity to light;
• Muscle aches;
• Lethargy;
• Abdominal pain;
• Vomiting;
• Nausea;
• Rash.

Diagnosis of Colorado tick fever

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. Tests may include:

• Blood tests, to determine the version of a virus;
• Blood tests to detect antibodies to the virus;
• Other blood tests.

Treatment of Colorado tick fever

There are no specific treatments for Colorado tick fever. Complications are extremely rare and include aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and hemorrhagic fever. Fever and pain can be reduced by paracetamol and other analgesic. It is important to avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. After a person has been ill Colorado tick fever, considered, he gets immunity against re-infection.

Colorado tick fever prevention

To reduce the likelihood of Colorado tick fever, you need to limit possible contact with ticks:

• Avoid tick infested areas, especially during the warm season;
• Wear light-colored clothing, to better see crawling tick;
• Tuck pants into socks, when you are in the area of ​​the infected ticks;
• Use repellents;
• Regularly remove stuck twigs and debris from the pile, and children's clothes, when you are in the area of ​​the infected ticks;
• Remove the tick with tweezers pointed, taking it close to the skin's surface and pulling upward;
• Deal with tick bites with soap and water.