Experts in Indiana warn ticks could cause issues

Possible issues cause of Covid 19

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Indiana residents are always looking out for ticks this time of year because of Lyme disease concerns. experts say this year ticks are even more of a threat because of COVID-19.

"The immune system gets very busy at attacking the Lyme disease, so then it gets more vulnerable to the opportunity of other pathogens," said Dr. Max Moreno, a professor at Indiana University's Fairbanks School of Public Health. "In that case, they may get more vulnerable to COVID."

Dr. Moreno said, if you've had COVID-19, the effects of Lyme disease, which often affects nervous system tissues, could be more severe. And if you suffer from Lyme disease, COVID-19 symptoms could be worse. This is because each can weaken the immune system on its own, making a person more vulnerable to the other.

"If you get a disease, you get weak, and then you can get infected by a second, you can get even weaker," Dr. Moreno said. "So, yes, your chances of getting worse in both increases, if you have two diseases."

If you find a tick attached to your skin, Dr. Moreno advises to put rubbing alcohol on it as soon as possible to kill the tick, and then remove it. If alcohol is not available, try to remove the tick carefully without squishing it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists typical symptoms of Lyme disease, such as fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash in the area where the bite occurred.