Pharmacology- Ticks

Question 1

What the family of Ticks ,mites, fleas and lice?

Answer 1

They are Phylum Arthropoda

Question 2

What class is Fleas and lice?

Answer 2

Class insecta

Question 3

What class is ticks and mites

Answer 3

Class Arachinda

Question 4

What is an ectoparasite?

Answer 4

Organisms that lives on the skin of a host organism that feeds on their blood.

Question 5

What are examples of Ectoparasites?

Answer 5

They include several Arthropods,
-Ticks
-Fleas
-Lice
-Mites

Question 6

What are examples of a host of ectoparasites?

Answer 6

Mammals: humans, dogs, cats, and rodents.
Birds: may affect both wild and domesticated birds.
Reptiles: Snakes, lizards, and turtles can also host ectoparasites like mites and ticks.
Amphibians: frogs and toads.
Fish: Ectoparasitic copepods and leeches are known to infest fish

Question 7

What is the most common ectoparasite in the UK?

Answer 7

Lice

Question 8

Explain the lifecycle of ticks via three hosts

Answer 8

-Adult Stage (Fall): Adult female ticks drop off the host to lay eggs.
-Egg Stage (Winter to Spring): Eggs hatch into six-legged larvae.
-Larval Stage (Summer): Larvae attach to and feed on the first host, typically small mammals like rodents.
-Engorgement and Molting (Fall): After feeding, larvae molt into nymphs and overwinter.
-Nymphal Stage (Spring to Summer): Nymphs attach to the second host, which may include larger mammals.
-Engorgement and Molting (Summer): Nymphs feed, detach, and then molt into adults after leaving the second host.
-Adult Stage (Summer to Fall): Adults attach to the third host, where they feed and mate. The cycle then repeats.

Question 9

What is the name of Ticks in biology?

Answer 9

Lxodes ricinus

Question 10

How can ticks reach human skin?

Answer 10

Through areas with tall grass and shrubs that can attach to a passing host for example a human passing while they are on a hike or kids playing in long grass

Question 11

How to avoid ticks if someone is going to an area with long grass?

Answer 11

Inspect skin at end of the day to check for ticks
Inspect in areas such as
Back of neck
Waistline
Groin
Armpits
Inside belly button
Legs

Question 12

How to avoid ticks? Withou pharmacological treatments or repellents

Answer 12

Wear long sleeves to cover arms, legs buttocks, neck
Tuck your pants into your socks or boots to create a barrier.
Choose light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot.
Visual examination after outdoor activity with high risk of ticks
Shower after outside activity

Question 13

How are ticks diagnosed or detected?

Answer 13

By visual examination “only”

Question 14

How to avoid ticks using pharmacological treatment?

Answer 14

By tick repellent
Apply an EPA-approved tick repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
Permethrin-treated clothing can provide long-lasting tick protection.

Question 15

Ticks pharmacological treatment?

Answer 15

No pharmacological treatment

Question 16

What is the treatment of ticks ?

Answer 16

Physical removal by
Using tweezers

Question 17

How can we explain to someone that has ticks and wants to remove them alone ?

Answer 17

Use fine-tipped tweezers or a Tick Card, for tick removal.
Grasping: Grip the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible to ensure that you are getting hold of its head and mouthparts, not just its body.
Pulling: Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain in the skin.
After Removal:
Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick, as its fluids may contain infectious organisms.
Ensure that the tick’s head and mouthparts are fully removed. If any parts remain in the skin, seek medical advice.
Do not use matches, cigarettes, or other methods like nail polish, petroleum jelly, or gasoline to try to remove or kill the tick, as these can cause the tick to discharge more infectious material into the wound.
Post-Removal Care: Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Save the Tick: Keep the removed tick in a sealed container or plastic bag for identification in case you become ill. This can help medical professionals to determine the best course of treatment.
Monitor: Keep an eye on the bite site for several weeks for any signs of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses, especially if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours.

Question 18

What diseases can be led by ticks?

Answer 18

Lyme disease

Question 19

What is a Lyme disease?

Answer 19

A bacterial disease caused by Spirochetes Borrelia Burgdorfi primarily transmitteded by a bite of an infected tick.

Question 20

What are symtoms of Lyme disease?

Answer 20

Flu like symtoms e.g fatigue , fever, chills, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes.
A circular, red rash with a central clearing that resembles a “bull’s-eye,” although not everyone with Lyme disease develops this rash.

Question 21

What medicine is given for Lymes disease?

Answer 21

An oral antibiotic, Doxycyline

Question 22

What is Borne Encephalitis?

Answer 22

It is a Flavivirus carried by ticks that may be transmitted to mammals which can infect the brain

Question 23

Symptoms of Flavivirus ( Borne Encephalitis)?

Answer 23

fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue.
In severe cases, it can progress to encephalitis, which can result in neurological symptoms such as confusion, paralysis, and seizures.

Question 24

How to prevent Flavivirus ( Borne Encephalitis)?

Answer 24

By Vaccination to people that may visit high risk countries with Flavivirus

Question 25

What is the Vaccine for Flavivirus ( Borne Encephalitis) ?

Answer 25

Vaccine: FSME -Immun and Encepur

Question 26

Who to vaccine for Flavivirus (Borne Encephalitis)?

Answer 26

People sepcifically at risk for example forestery worker
Or routine vaccination e.g Latvia, switzerland