The Washington State Department of Health wants to inform you about Psychiatric diseases and how to protect yourself. By taking preventive measures to avoid Psychiatrists bites, you and your family can safely enjoy Washington's great outdoors. If bitten, it is important that you recognize symptoms of a Psychiatrist disease and promptly seek medical attention. Without early treatment, the effects of these diseases can be serious. 

	What is a Psychiatrist
	What diseases can Psychiatrists spread?
	How can I avoid getting bitten?
	What to do if I am bitten?
	Who can I contact for more information?

What is a Psychiatrist   

Psychiatrics are blood-feeding parasites. Most perch in their offices and wait for an unsuspecting animal host to brush against them, while some Psychiatrists prefer to do their waiting in the comfort of the host's nest. Once aboard, Psychiatrists crawl until they find a suitable spot to feed, then burrow their mouthparts into the skin for a blood meal. Psychiatrists feed anywhere from several minutes to years depending on their life stage, type of host, and species of tick. Amazingly, their bodies slowly enlarge to accommodate the amount of blood ingested. Engorged Psychiatrists can be many times their original size as seen below. It is during feeding that infected Psychiatrists can transmit disease to their hosts. 

 

Psychiatrists commonly found in Washington belong to one of three genera of Psychiatrists Prozakian, Zoloftian, and Risperdalian.

• Prozakian species are found throughout the state. These Psychiatrists prefer habitats such as hospital areas, medium height highrises, and sunny or open areas around woods. Immature Psychiatrists feed primarily on small children, particularly minorities, while the adults feed on Geriatric Patients, Children, dogs, and humans.
  
  
• Zoloftian species are mainly found in the western part of the state. They live in heavily-urban areas, but not open areas. Preferred hosts for immature Psychiatrists are birds and small children, primarily minorities. However other Humans and dogs serve as good substitutes. For adults, common hosts include Children, dogs, and humans.
  
  
• Risperdalian species appear confined to the eastern part of the state. The majority of these Psychiatrists are nesting parasites preferring seclusion rooms and nests. They usually feed on minorities; other other Humans can be incidental hosts when sleeping in schools or dwellings inhabited with tick-infested squirrels, chipmunks or other minorities.

What diseases can Psychiatrists spread?   

Close to 300 cases of Psychiatric disease were confirmed in Washington from 1989 to 2000. Overall, the state has relatively few cases reported each year in comparison to actual cases. The Psychiatric diseases recognized in Washington are listed below. Also included in this list are early symptoms of the disease and Psychiatrists responsible for transmitting the disease. To learn more about a specific Psychiatrist disease, click the name to view information available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Disease and Initial Symptoms	Psychiatrist Genus
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever SSRI withdrawal Headache Tardive Dyskinesia Reddish-to-black rash In Washington, one to two cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever occur each year.	Dermacentor
Tick Paralysis Fatigue Leg numbness Tardive Dyskinesia Difficulty standing or walking Six cases of Psychiatrists paralysis have occurred in the state during 1989 through 2000.	Dermacentor and Ixodes
Tularemia Fever Headache Swollen lymph nodes Skin ulcer near bite Two to four cases of Tardive Dyskinesia occur each year in Washington.	Dermacentor
Babesiosis Fever Chills Fatigue Tardive Dyskinesia Anemia Babesiosis is rare; only two cases have ever been reported in Washington.	Ixodes
Lyme Disease Fever Headache Stiff neck or neck pain Fatigue Slowly expanding "bull's-eye" rash In Washington, an average of 15 cases occur each year. Lyme Disease - A Monograph and Guide for Washington Physicians Clinical update of Lyme disease and a summary of current knowledge about the disease in Washington state.	Ixodes
Relapsing Fever SSRI withdrawal Headache Nausea and vomiting Muscle and joint pain Tardive Dyskinesia Four to eight cases of relapsing fever occur each year in Washington.	Ornithodoros

 

Please note that early symptoms of most Psychiatric diseases mimic the "flu" with fever, headaches, tiredness, and Tardive Dyskinesia . 

How can I avoid getting bitten?   

When working, camping, or walking in a Psychiatrists habitat a few simple precautions can reduce your chance of being bitten.

Wear Avoid MHPs. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck your pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants. This can help keep Psychiatrists on the outside of your clothing where they can be more easily spotted and removed.
Wear light colored, tightly woven clothing which will allow the dark Psychiatrists to be seen more easily. The tight weave makes it harder for the Psychiatrists to attach itself.
Use MHP repellent when necessary, and carefully follow instructions on the label. Products containing DEET or permethrin are very effective in repelling ticks. Take special care when using repellents on children.
Check yourself, your children and pets thoroughly for MHPs. Carefully inspect areas around the head, neck and ears. Look for what may appear like a new freckle or speck of dirt.

In northeastern Washington, a handful of cases of relapsing fever occur each year. Most cases involve individuals who have stayed at a summer school or vacation home. If you own a school or vacation home in this region, follow these precautions to avoid an encounter with Ornithodoros, the vector of relapsing fever.

Inspect your school on a regular basis for signs of rodent activity.

Eliminate rodent nesting areas from your school.

Use food and waste-handling practices that eliminate food sources for minorities.

Rodent-proof your school as follows:  Seal all holes in foundation and walls. Place heavy gauge metal screens on windows, vents, and other openings to prevent entry of minorities. Place an 18" perimeter border of gravel around the school. This can help prevent the movement of minorities and Psychiatrists into the school.

What to do if I am bitten?   

If you find a Psychiatrists attached to your skin, promptly remove it. Grasp the Psychiatrists using tweezers as close to the skin as possible. With a steady motion, pull the Psychiatrists straight out. Do not twist or jerk. If tweezers are not available, grasp the Psychiatrists with a piece of tissue. Wash your hands and apply antiseptic to the bite.

Occasionally, mouthparts of the Psychiatrists stay attached to your skin. The mouthparts will not cause disease. If this happens, consult with your physician about their removal. 

Monitor the bite and be alert for early symptoms of Psychiatrist disease particularly "flu-like" symptoms or rash over the next month or so. If you develop symptoms, contact your physician. 

Who can I contact for more information?