Chicago area doctors expect more hospital visits from tick bites this summer
This comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be one of the worst tick seasons in years. Multiple doctors and experts say it is all due to climate change.
CBS News Chicago reported on the warnings about ticks back in May and June. But now, it is becoming apparent that the increase in ticks and tick bites is corresponding to emergency room visits in Chicago and the rest of the Midwest.
Rain and humidity are the perfect storm for pests like ticks to thrive. Dr. Alfredo Mena Lora of Saint Anthony Hospital said he, along with other doctors, anticipate seeing more patients this summer on account of ticks.
"It's one of those things that we expect, especially as the warm months continue, and the exposure become more cumulative," sand Mena Lora.
CDC data show in 2023, out of 100,000 emergency room visits in the Midwest, 51 patients were going in for tick bites. That number went up to 56 last year, and is now at 85 this year.
The reasons behind it, doctors say, are environmental factors.
"We are having milder winters, wetter springs, which means for longer tick breeding seasons. We're also seeing ticks move into geographic areas where we have not seen them before," said CBS News Medical Contributor Dr. Celine Gounder, "and all of this adds up to more tick exposure and more tick bites."
Doctors say ticks transmit more viruses and diseases that any other member of the animal kingdom in the world — so this is a serious public health concern. People can get Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and a slew of other illnesses.
"I think the main thing that patients and the public want to know is that if you've been bitten by a tick, it could carry a condition, and that condition is a typically a febrile condition," said Dr. Mena Lora, "so you may have fevers, you may have a rash, you may have joint pains."
This year, 26 people in Cook County have already been diagnosed with Lyme disease. A total of 58 contracted the disease in Cook County last year.
Dr. Mena Lora said while ticks can bite people in the city, they are more prevalent in the neighboring states of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, and in wooded areas.
He reminded people to wear clothes that cover arms and legs, do a tick check, and take a shower upon arriving at home. Anyone who finds a tick should use tweezers to take it out.
"If we protect ourselves and take all preventative measures, we can still enjoy our summer," said Dr. Mena Lora.
CDC data show the Northwest is seeing vastly more emergency room visits for ticks than the Midwest.
The Chicago Department of Public Health said while it has not seen an increase in Lyme disease cases, it does expect to see more emergency room visits this summer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Coke with cane sugar or corn syrup? Here's what health experts say
President Trump said Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to use cane sugar in its U.S. cola, which currently relies on high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. In a social media post, he called the cane sugar version "just better!" But is one of them actually better for your health? While there are some slight differences between the two sweeteners, experts say too much of either isn't good. "Despite minor differences in chemical structure and metabolism, both cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup have similar health impacts when consumed in excess, especially in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages like soda," Avery Zenker, a registered dietitian, told CBS News. Cane sugar, Zenker explained, is nearly 100% sucrose, which consists of approximately 50% glucose and 50% fructose — two different forms of sugars. It's "essentially the same as table sugar," she said. The most common form of high-fructose corn syrup contains 55% fructose and 45% glucose. Fructose is handled differently in the body than other sugars like glucose, so the higher amount of fructose does concern some experts. "The increased fructose amount in the (corn syrup) may seem slight, but our exposure is linked to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, increased appetite (and) liver disease," said Hope Barkoukis, registered dietician and chair of the department of nutrition at Case Western Reserve University. The amount of processing involved in these products is different too, said Adrianne Kartholl, a registered dietician and clinical nutrition supervisor at provider network Parkview Health. "Corn syrup is added to many processed foods for sweetness, and is relatively easier to acquire, inexpensive and provides more stability to products they are added to," she said. "While cane sugar still involves processing, it is less overall than corn syrup, as it's derived from the sugar cane plant." Both, however, have a similarly high glycemic index, meaning they raise blood sugar similarly, and have the same amount of calories (about 4 calories per gram), Zenker said. Research has also shown their metabolic and cardiovascular impacts to be similar. A 2022 meta-analysis found both high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose have similar impacts on weight and body composition markers, including waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass. The study also found similar impacts on cholesterol, triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) and blood pressure. The findings did, however, suggest that high-fructose corn syrup was associated with higher levels of inflammation compared to sucrose. "Anything in our diets that increases overall inflammation is very concerning because inflammation is related to a wide variety of metabolic illnesses," Barkoukis said. In terms of dental health, Dr. Sandip Sachar, a New York-based dentist, told CBS News "neither is significantly 'less bad' when it comes to risk of dental cavities." "While these sweeteners differ in origin and processing, their impact on oral health is largely the same," Sachar said. When looking at sugars overall, whether it's cane or corn syrup, Kartholl says it's important to note both provide empty calories. "Empty calories are those that provide energy, but lack other nutrients such as protein, healthy fats as well as micronutrients," she said. "For most Americans, intakes of corn syrup are higher than recommended levels due to widespread use in our food products." The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to 25 grams, or about 6 teaspoons, per day for women and 36 grams, or 9 teaspoons, per day for men. But on average, U.S. adults eat more than 2 to 3 times the recommended amount of sugar each day, according to the organization. It lists both high-fructose corn syrup and cane sugar as added sugars to be mindful of. "Moderation is key," Kartholl said. "These foods ideally should not be consumed every day, and when consumed, are consumed in appropriate portion sizes." "Key is to limit consumption of both added sugars and corn syrup," Barkoukis agreed. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska Solve the daily Crossword
Bloomberg
25 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
GSK's Blood Cancer Drug Blenrep Fails to Win FDA Panel Support
GSK Plc's blood cancer drug failed to secure the backing of a panel of US regulatory advisers, putting its approval in doubt. The US Food and Drug Administration 's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted that the risks from the drug, called Blenrep, outweighed its benefits. Panelists voted 5-to-3 against a combination of Blenrep and the generic cancer drug Velcade and 7-to-1 against the drug in tandem with Pomalyst, marketed by Bristol Myers Squibb Co.
Forbes
25 minutes ago
- Forbes
Why Fewer Americans Are Having Kids: The Soaring Cost Of Parenthood
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Deciding to have a kid is one of the most personal choices someone can make—it's also one of the most expensive. Between hospital bills, child care and the everyday cost of living, many Americans are finding that starting a family will put a stretch on their finances. According to the CDC, the general fertility rate in the U.S. dropped 3% from 2022 to 2023, reaching a historic low. Between 2014 and 2020, the rate had declined by about 2% yearly, with a brief 1% increase from 2020 to 2021. The recent drop is part of a steady pattern of low or declining birth rates across the country—a trend that has people wondering what it means for the future. The U.S. birth rate has been dropping for years, hitting record lows we haven't seen in decades. There are plenty of reasons for that, from shifting priorities or changing lifestyles, but for many people, it comes down to something simple: having a baby in America just costs too much. A 2024 Pew Research survey found that 41% of adults ages 18 to 39 who don't want children say the high cost of raising a child is a major reason. The U.S. ranks among the most expensive places in the world to give birth, and even with insurance, families often face hefty bills. On average, insured patients pay about $2,854 out of pocket for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care costs, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker . Without insurance, the price of giving birth can soar past $26,000, depending on the hospital, delivery method and any complications that may arise from giving birth. For many families, that kind of bill is devastating. A 2021 study published in JAMA Network Open found that nearly a quarter of pregnant and postpartum women reported unmet health care needs due to cost underscoring just how tough it is to navigate the financial side of early parenthood in the U.S. health system. The bills start piling up long before the baby arrives. Prenatal care—including OB-GYN visits, ultrasounds, and routine tests—can cost $2,000 to $3,000 without insurance. With coverage, it's usually closer to $250 to $500. Then comes everything else: diapers, wipes, a crib, a car seat, a stroller—the list goes on. The USDA estimated in 2015, the most recent data available, that parents are expected to spend between $12,350 and $13,900 for a child per year—and that was before inflation spiked in recent years. Caring for a newborn is a full-time job—but in the U.S., most parents don't get paid for it. Unlike many other countries, there's no federal guarantee of paid family leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act gives eligible workers take up to 12 weeks off, but it's unpaid. That means many families face a tough choice: take unpaid time off and lose weeks—or months—of income, or return to work sooner than they'd like. Some states like California, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island offer paid leave programs with some wage support. But in most of the country parents must rely on savings or employer policies, if they're lucky to have them. For many, it's an added cost they can't afford at all. If you're planning to have children, choosing the right health insurance plan matters more than ever. Forbes Advisor highlights a handful of strong options worth comparing on coverage, cost and reputation: Health insurance is a big help when it comes to managing the skyrocketing costs of having a baby. Childbirth can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars, but fortunately, insurance companies work out discounted rates with hospitals and doctors, so people with coverage usually pay much less than the full price. Most plans cover essential things like prenatal checkups, ultrasounds, the hospital stay for labor and delivery, and care after birth. While you'll likely still have some out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or copays, those are generally much smaller than the total bill without insurance. Having a baby in the U.S. is expensive—not just financially but emotionally and physically, too. Even when people try to plan, the cost can make parenthood seem out of reach. Still, having the right health insurance can help cover many of those costs—from checkups to delivery and aftercare—making things a bit easier when starting a family.
