Ohio University students planning camping trips this spring might want to go equipped with more than just hot dogs and flashlights.

While hiking through the woods or high grass, students should sport longsleeves and be armed with tick repellant.

According to an Ohio Department of Health news release, students venturing unprotected into these areas run the risk of contracting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme disease, the most common diseases carried by ticks.

Randy Hertzer, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health, said the American dog tick, which carries Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, is the most prevalent tick found in this area and throughout Ohio.

"It is the most common type of illness we see," he said. "The tick that carries it has been established here longer than the other ticks."

Those who have contracted this disease experience fever, headaches, muscle pain and rashes. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal, but it can be combatted with antibiotics if detected right away, according to the release.

Lyme disease is also an issue but is not as common in Ohio, Hertzer said. The tick that carries it, the Black-legged tick, usually is not found in this area.

"These ticks can be brought in on birds and other animals and then attach to people, making them ill," he said.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include a rash or ring where the bite occurred, fatigue, headaches, fever and swollen glands, according to the release. Lyme disease can be treated by antibiotics but if not remedied can lead to arthritis and cardiac problems.

Tick season is at its highest point from April to August. To avoid being bitten, Adele Hanson, sanitarian at the Athens City-County Health Department, recommends covering up when in weeded areas.

"The ticks cling to vegetation, get on your clothing and try to contact your skin," she said.

Besides weedy areas, ticks also can be found in farm fields and edges of hiking trails and bike paths, she said.

To stay protected in these areas, it is a good idea to keep shirts tucked in and pants tucked into boots. Wearing light-colored clothing makes the ticks easier to spot.

Hanson also said people should check themselves and children frequently, especially around the scalp area behind the ear and behind

the neck.

A tick should be removed from the body right away by grabbing it with tweezers or covered fingers close to the skin and pulling it off without twisting, she said.

Ticks are hard to spot and look like little black dots, Hertzer said. But once attached, they become larger, a lot easier to see and should be removed.

While the number of tick-related diseases remains stable, Hertzer hopes that by educating the public, people will become pro-active when it comes to protection.

"We want to keep the number

of cases down," he said. "That is

our goal."