Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşin Kılınç Toker: 'Crushing the head of a tick attached to the body...'

Kayseri City Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşin Kılınç Toker pointed out that tick cases will increase with the arrival of spring and issued warnings to citizens.

Toker stated that crushing the head of a tick attached to the body accelerates the transmission of the virus into the blood, saying, "Protective measures can be taken, such as wearing long-sleeved and long-legged clothing that covers the body, and if possible, boots, or tucking pant legs into socks."

''CLOTHING THAT COVERS THE BODY, LONG-SLEEVED AND LONG-LEGGED...''

Kayseri City Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşin Kılınç Toker made statements regarding the increasing number of tick cases and warned citizens. Toker said, "With the arrival of spring, ticks that transmit Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and other diseases have become active. They have grown, multiplied, and the likelihood of them being transmitted to humans and animals has increased. Crimean-Congo is a disease transmitted by and effective through a virus, but because ticks carry this virus in their saliva, they can transfer this virus back into a person's blood while they are attached to the body and feeding on blood. Furthermore, the circulation continues from animals to humans and from humans to others through contacts such as crushing the tick with bare hands. We began to see this virus in Turkey in 2002 in the Central Anatolia and Northeastern regions. It was in the Erzurum, Tokat, and Çorum regions, but with the warming of the climate, rising temperatures, and increased movement related to livestock, tick-borne Crimean-Congo cases have also increased in Kayseri and the provinces to its south. People involved in livestock, pastures, and meadows are in the risk group. Regular spraying of these areas against ticks is important. For those who are not in the risk group, such as people going to these places for picnics and trips, protective measures can be taken, such as wearing long-sleeved and long-legged clothing that covers the body, and if possible, boots, or tucking pant legs into socks. After returning from such environments, it is important to check areas with folds, especially the armpits, behind the ears, and the groin, and to regularly check these areas, especially in children and the elderly who cannot take care of themselves."

''THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR THIS VIRUS''

Noting that the virus can be fatal in delayed cases, Asst. Prof. Dr. Toker said, "In Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, the expected period after a tick bite is about the first 3-4 days. Symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, and fatigue may occur. Along with this, there may be high fever, nose and gum bleeding, or unexplained bruising on the body, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In such a situation, it is essential to apply to a healthcare facility. Because, although it has existed in the world and in Turkey for many years, there is no effective direct treatment for this virus. We can treat it well with supportive care for the body. However, since it can unfortunately be fatal in delayed cases, one should not neglect seeking support from a healthcare facility."

YOU CAN ACCELERATE THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS INTO THE BLOOD

Underlining that crushing the head of a tick attached to the body accelerates the transmission of the virus into the blood, Ayşin Kılınç Toker said, "When we returned from the environment, we encountered a tick. Especially making a move to grab the tick with bare hands and pull its head off or crushing it further accelerates the transmission of the virus into the blood. If it is an inactive tick, we can try to remove it with a gentle movement using tweezers. If it does not come out easily, we must go to a healthcare facility. At this point, they help our citizens in both primary care services and emergency departments."