Hunting and possible disease or other health problems
Disease, Hunting and HuntersThere are many possibilities for hunters to get sick. Many critics consider these aspects to be nature's defense mechanisms towards human interference. Whatever the case may be, care must be taken when outdoors to avoid these diseases and problems.Just a little poison Ivy or Poison oak is more than enough. While this article is about disease you may get I don't think that dangerous plants can go unmentioned. Know what you are walking in and how to recognize dangerous plants in the area you plan on hunting. There are many precautions one can take to avoid getting sick in the outdoors. Attention must be paid at all times to the surroundings and to the natural habitat in which the hunt is taking place. There are many diseases that are spread by mosquitos. These are called arboviral because they are spread by arthropods. Arboviral diseases are known to produce clinical illnesses in humans that can require the attention of a medical professional. Arboviral diseases transmit what are called alphaviruses to the patient, causing typically mild symptoms but sometimes releases harmful after-effects. Another arboviral disease that is getting a lot of air time lately is the West Nile virus. This is also spread by mosquitoes, but originates in birds. Mosquitoes feed on the birds and then spread the virus to humans by feeding on the humans, mixing the blood types. For this reason, always bring bug spray and always ensure that mosquitoes are instantly swatted or squashed as they appear. A bacterial infection that hunters can find themselves with is brucella. Brucella is typically spread from animal to animal as they feed on one another. As hunters kill and eat animals, there is a potential for brucella to be present. Brucella are actually bacterial organisms that are highly infectious. The food is typically the highest source of infection and the most likely area of capturing brucella infection. Fortunately, there are very few incidents of person-to-person brucella transmission but it still is possible. Standard precautions should be taken at all times in dealing with hunted meat. The kill must be cleaned and cooked properly to professional specifications. Hand washing is also a must. Lyme disease is a common disease for outdoors people. This is an illness that may affect joints and bones, creating a possibility of skin and nervous system problems. Lyme disease can affect people of all ages and is considered to be the most frequently diagnosed of the outdoor afflictions, making precautionary measures especially important. This problem is actually caused be a bacteria that looks like a corkscrew and is transmitted by the bite of a tick. Persons with Lyme disease will likely start feeling the symptoms around seven to fourteen days after the tick bite, starting with chills and joint pain. Precautions should be taken to keep ticks off of the skin at all times. There are many other bacterial infections that can be caught in the outdoors. Taking the proper precautions most hunters can avoid having serious problems and can concentrate on the hunt. Clothing should be kept relatively light but tight fitting, making it hard for bugs to get on the skin and easy to spot the bugs. Of course, the problem with light clothing on the hunt is that it also makes the hunter more visible to the animals. Compromises can be reached, however, and there are those that suggest the risk of disease is far too great to take a chance on not being prepared. There are numerous diseases and problems in nature that should be avoided and considered when hunting. It may well be nature's way of protecting itself, but these afflictions and diseases can spread from the hunter to the family members, making for a dangerous situation. When planning any kind of trip to the outdoors, research the area of travel and find out all there is to know about the possibilities for diseases and other possible problems in that area. Hunter survival tips > > < < Hunting history |
|
Hunting Navigation:South Dakota huntingPheasant Hunting South Dakota Goose hunting tips Duck hunting tips Whitetail deer hunting Bow hunting Basic firearm safety Hunting rifles Gun safety for hunters Hunting safely Hunting first aid Hunting History Hunting and disease Hunter survival tips Nature friendly hunter Tree stands hunting Snow goose hunting Hunting rabbits Turkey hunting Successful Turkey Hunting Perfect Turkey Hunting Gun African safaris, tours Hunting Tips Another great source of information on hunting in Eastern South Dakota can be found at the hunting forum at Eastern South Dakota Hunting Forums. If you have any questions about the area just go there and ask. |