Kentucky health officials are warning about the dangers of tick season.
The Department for Public Health is reminding people to take precautions against tick bites, which can transmit serious and potentially deadly illnesses.
You can protect yourself from tick bites by avoiding areas where ticks live, such as wooded and brushy areas, tall grasses, woodpiles, leaf litter, and areas close to the ground. One can decrease risk of infection by wearing a tick repellent.
Officials say check yourself and family members for ticks after being outdoors and use tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin and gently pull on the tick with steady pressure.
Watch for any symptoms of tickborne illness, which can vary among individuals and differ according to the disease. A sudden fever and rash, severe headache, muscle or joint aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea can be signs of tickborne illness.