Students should be aware of summer sicknesses, they can ruin that long awaited summer vacation.

Rosemary Lane, University Health Services director, said one of the summer’s most common sickness is Lyme disease. This disease is common in rural areas and also urban areas, she said.

The disease is caused by a tick bite, Lane said. A tick is an insect that sucks blood and attaches itself to warm-blooded vertebrates, such as humans, to feed, she said. They inject germs transmitted from animal to animal while feeding, she said.

Some ticks look like dots and if removed in time the person will be all right, she said.

A person can remove ticks with gloved fingers or forceps without twisting because if the head breaks off it can still infect the person, she said.

Lane said within two weeks symptoms, such as a rash around the tick bite, might appear if the tick is not removed. Earlier symptoms include chills, fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, and joint pain, she said.

Most cases can be treated with antibiotics, so the earlier the treatment the better, she said.

Lane said people should avoid tick-infected areas such as forests and use tick repellent. When hiking, wear and tuck in long sleeves and long pants, she said.

“As time goes on, it is more important for people to be aware of it (Lyme disease),” Lane said.

Sara Susmano, chief of NIU Medical Staff, said another thing to be aware of in the summer is poison ivy.

When in contact with the plant an allergic reaction occurs because of the oil, she said. The person can break out in sever blisters, she said.

Beverly Beetham, assistant director for NIU Nursing Services, agreed with Susmano. When the plant’s oil comes in contact with exposed skin, it can cause an uncomfortable skin rash and itching, she said.

Beetham said a person should wash the infected area with soap and water after contact. To relieve the itching use calamine or caldryl lotion, she said.

Benadryl or a baking soda bath is also helpful, Beetham said. Most treatments can be bought over the counter.

She said it is not necessary to see a doctor with these primary infections of poison ivy.

But Beetham recommended seeing a doctor with secondary infections such as spreading and open rashes.

It takes about a week before the symptoms begin to disappear, she said.

Plants and insects also are common things associated with the outdoors and can make people sick, she said. People must be aware of them, she said.