Tick-borne infections

1. What are tick-borne infections?

　The diseases are caused by being bitten by a tick that carries the virus. Ticks spread nationwide in Japan, mainly inhabiting outdoors, such as forests and grasslands. They are sometimes found even in urban areas.

2. Symptoms of tick-borne infections

　After an incubation period of about six days to two weeks after a tick bite, patients develop a fever of 38 degrees C or higher, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomachache.

3. Prevention of tick bites

　When entering areas where ticks live, such as grassy areas and bushes, wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and shoes that completely cover your feet in order to reduce skin exposure. After outdoor activities, check your body for tick bites.

4. How to treat a tick bite

　When adhering to humans or animals, many species of ticks pierce the skin firmly with their mouthparts and suck blood for a long time (several days to 10 days at the longest).
　If you find a tick that is sucking blood, do not try to take it out yourself but have a doctor (dermatologist) treat it as much as possible. (If you try to pull it out forcibly, a body part of the tick may remain in the skin and become suppurated.)
　If you have fever or other symptoms after a tick bite, consult a hospital.