RALEIGH -- As we head into the warm summer months, many of us will be spending more and more time outdoors. But the CDC recently reported that between 2014 and 2016, illnesses by ticks, mosquitoes and fleas grew three times in the United States. Experts say thats mainly because more bugs and insects are now found in our region.

Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair sat down with Hilary Karabin, a Nurse Practitioner with MinuteClinic for a look at ways we can protect our bodies to avoid major illnesses from insects and bugs.

Ticks are not only a nuisance, but they can also cause major problems if bites go unchecked. Once a tick attached to the body, use tweezers and pull it away from the body from the head, not the swollen belly. Do not twist the tick, and Karabin says to make sure you was the area thoroughly.

Unfortunately, times can cause Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Experts say to keep an eye on the bite, and if after a couple of weeks you see an expanding bulls eye ring around the bite, check with your doctor to see if you can be treated by antibiotics. But if you have a severe headache or several days of a fever and a non-itchy spotted wrist, Karabin says seek medical care right away. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever must be treated with an antibiotic.

But ticks aren’t the only concern we face while outdoors. Mosquitoes can also transmit a number of diseases like West Nile Virus and Zika.  Symptoms of West Nile include  headaches, body aches, fever, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes and rashes. And in more severe cases, you may have a stiff neck, sleepiness, disorientation and tremors. Meanwhile, Zika doesn’t have as many symptoms, but can be confirmed through a urine test. But don’t be fooled, Zika is very dangerous for pregnant women, and can be passed through sexual contact.

Experts say like with ticks, mosquitoes can be held off by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants. They also say to eliminate standing water and wear mosquito repellent with Deet.

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