SUMMER IS ABOUT SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THE POOL, LAKE OR IN THE BACKYARD BUT IT'S ALSO PEAK TIME FOR TICKS AND MOSQUITOES, INCREASING YOUR RISKS FOR INSECT-BORNE DISEASES. THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFERS SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING MOSQUITO AND TICK BITES. USE INSECT REPELLANTS CONTAINING DEET, OIL OF LEMON EUCALYPTUS OR RELATED PRODUCTS WHEN OUTDOORS. BE SURE TO FOLLOW LABEL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USAGE ESPECIALLY FOR USE ON CHILDREN. DO NOT USE PERFUME, COLOGNE OR SCENTED DEODORANTS IF YOU'RE GOING OUTSIDE AS FRAGRANCES MAY ATTRACT INSECTS. SELECT LONG, LOOSE AND LIGHT CLOTHING FOR OUTDOOR WEAR. LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING HELPS PREVENT BUGS FROM BITING THRU THE FABRIC AND LIGHT COLORS ARE LESS ATTRACTIVE TO MANY INSECTS AND MAKES BUGS EASIER TO SEE. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER IS THE MOST COMMON TICK-BORNE ILLNESS IN TENNESSEE. SYMPTOMS USUALLY APPEAR TWO TO 14 DAYS AFTER A BITE FROM AN INFECTED TICK AND INCLUDE NAUSEA, VOMITING, MUSCLE PAIN, SEVERE HEADACHE, AND RASH. CASES OF MEAT ALLERGIES TIED TO LONE STAR TICK BITES ARE ALSO ON THE RISE. THE LONE STAR TICK, NAMED FOR THE WHITE SPLOTCH ON THEIR BACK, CAN BITE A PERSON AND WITHIN 10 TO 12 HOURS, THE PERSON CAN HAVE SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION TO EATING RED MEAT. THE SYMPTOMS ARE OFTEN SEVERE AND SEEM TO APPEAR OUT OF THE BLUE. TICKS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSMITTING LYME DISEASE AND OTHER BACTERIAL INFECTIONS.