Can You Really Be Sick from A Mosquito Bite and Tick Bite at The Same Time?

Few things sound worse than getting West Nile Virus or Rocky Mountain Spotted fever UNLESS it’s having both at the same time. Could you imagine? Tate Haidle of Billings, Montana doesn’t have to imagine it, because he has lived it. In 2015, while traveling with his company and selling coffee at music festivals across the Midwest, Tate became suddenly and extremely tired all the time. After returning home, his condition got worse. In a matter of time, he was sleeping all day and had lost 36 pounds. His parents finally consulted with a doctor, and after testing, he was diagnosed with both West Nile and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. It has taken almost a year and a half for him to be cleared of both. His immune system is still on the mend, and his energy level has not yet become exactly what it was before, yet he knows that he is lucky to have survived.

ONE-IN-A-MILLION

The chances of this are actually rare. One in millions. Tate’s doctor found reports of only two cases: both in teenagers and both died. So again he is lucky. It reminds us though of the importance of considering our surroundings. When telling his story to the Billings Gazette, Tate spoke of his surroundings during his travel. It was wet, they were camping, and they were surrounded by trees and bushes. We can’t remind you enough of the climate that ticks and mosquitoes love and this is probably the perfect case scenario for the combination of the two. Terribly rare, but here it is, so possible. Co-infection of different tick illnesses is something a little more common, yet doctors rarely test for it or even realize it can happen. Knowing the symptoms as stated on Mainely Ticks can help to recognize that you may have more than one infection.

The reason that this story is important to us at Mosquito Squad of Chelmsford & Cambridge is that it points us to some critical reminders:

• Be aware of your surroundings and do some research when you travel. Know what disease-carrying vectors can be lurking in the area.
• Protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes when in the outdoors. Dress properly and use repellent. Especially when camping and sleeping outside.
• Don’t ignore the symptoms. If you are feeling ill, don’t wait to get checked by a doctor. With many tick-borne and mosquito-borne diseases, time can be a great factor in the ability to cure.
• Don’t forget tick control and mosquito control at home as well.

This last point is where we come in. When you are at home, enjoying your own backyard, you don’t want to have to think about all of these things. Let us handle it for you, so instead your time is spent with family and friends: Cooking, playing, and making memories. That’s what summer is all about. Our barrier treatment will eliminate 85-90% of ticks and mosquitoes on contact for up to 3 weeks. Call us today to schedule an estimate at (978) 381-4028.