Skunk, fox and raccoon bites can also transmit rabies to people. Groundhogs are the only rodents that transmit rabies. Chipmunks, mice, rats, rabbits and squirrels usually die before they can infect humans. The “rabid dogs” of yesteryear are very rare thanks to widespread canine vaccination in the U.S. Fortunately, only 2-3 people die from rabies in the U.S. each year.
96% of confirmed cases are from 14 states in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S. The typical rash of erythema migrans is seen in 70%-80% of patients. About 10%-20% of patients treated for Lyme disease will have lingering symptoms known as “Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.” In addition to Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain (RMSF) spotted fever, the CDC lists 13 more separate diseases transmitted by 9 different ticks.
North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri. RMSF can be a severe or fatal illness if not recognized and treated early. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting and myalgia. A rash develops in 90% of patients, but often too late to be helpful in the diagnosis.
Spiders kill about 7 people per year. Black widow spiders have a “red hourglass” pattern on their abdomen, and their venom contains a neurotoxin that can cause painful spasms. Brown recluse spiders have a “violin” pattern on their upper back, and their bite releases an enzyme that causes local skin necrosis.
Stings usually occur in the southern and southwestern areas of the U.S.; they can be very painful. The most poisonous scorpion is the bark scorpion, found primarily in Arizona; there is now an antidote that can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Bee, wasp and hornet stings cause about 58 deaths per year, usually by anaphylactic shock. Medical professionals need to be ready to treat these life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to bees, wasps and hornets. And yes, I mentioned cows, which kill about 20 people per year.
After removing any tentacles, treatment includes immersion of the affected arm or leg in hot water (104°F to 113°F; 40°C to 45°C) for 20 minutes. Salt water or saline is recommended, as fresh water can exacerbate the pain.
followed by cats (5%) and humans (2%-3%). Human bites often get infected. Cat bites become infected much more often (80%) than dog bites (5%). In the U.S., domestic dog bites rarely cause rabies. Worldwide, however, dogs continue as the major vector of rabies transmission due to inadequate vaccination programs.
An adult bite injury on a child deserves special treatment. The child should be evaluated for possible child abuse, and the bite wound should be photographed and swabbed for forensic evidence. A forensic odontologist may need to be consulted.