{"id":25665,"date":"2025-04-24T09:22:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T13:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/?page_id=25665"},"modified":"2025-06-18T09:56:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:56:33","slug":"see-the-star","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/see-the-star\/","title":{"rendered":"See The Star?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero   cl-has-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><div class=\"block\"><h1>SEE THE STAR<\/h1><p>Are <strong>LONE STAR<\/strong> ticks taking over?<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/lonestartick-2.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls-container\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-icon\" title=\"Accessibility controls\">Accessibility controls<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-motion-control cl-accessibility-control-hidden\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Pause motion\">Pause motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">On<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Play motion\">Play motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Off<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-contrast-control\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Increase text contrast\">Increase text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Standard<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Reset text contrast\">Reset text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">High<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-system-setting\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle\" title=\"Apply my preferences site-wide\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle-label\">Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><sup>Tick Photo Credit: James Gathany, Dr. Amanda Loftis, Dr. William Nicholson, Dr. Will Reeves, Dr. Chris Paddock, via <a href=\"https:\/\/phil.cdc.gov\/Details.aspx?pid=8676\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/phil.cdc.gov\/Details.aspx?pid=8676\">CDC Public Health Image Library<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LONE STAR TICKS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>See the Star:<\/strong> Female lone star ticks stand out from other ticks because of the bright white dot on their back that can even be seen when they&#8217;re engorged.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No star to see?:<\/strong> Other life stages of this tick may have some white, or be completely brown so it\u2019s important to \u201cspot\u201d the differences between these life stages and other tick species. Need help IDing a tick? Send a photo to<a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/tickspotters\/\"> <strong>TickSpotters<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quick Tick:<\/strong> If there ever was such a thing as tick races, then lone stars would win, hands down against other North American ticks. That means they can disappear quickly under untucked clothing and get into all kinds of hidden locations. And they&#8217;re also very aggressive biters. Here are some tips for being<a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/ticksmart\/\"> <strong>TickSmart<\/strong><\/a> to protect against tick bites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Risk:<\/strong> Lone star ticks are expanding their home range and as they move the risk of tick-borne illnesses changes creating a growing public health concern <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/species\/lone-star-tick\/]\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Family-Portrait-Lone-Star.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"Lone star tick larva, nymph, adult male and adult female\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Lone Star Ticks<\/h2><p>Come meet your new neighbors &#8230;<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">visit us<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LONE STAR TICK ASSOCIATED DISEASES<\/h2>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero  \"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2023-10-18-at-10.29.42-AM.jpeg);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>No Lyme, but:<\/strong> Numerous vector competence and tick testing studies have shown that lone stars do not transmit the germ causing Lyme disease. That&#8217;s good news, but they do carry other disease-causing germs and some are deadly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cooked:<\/strong> If you\u2019re a fan of eating meat, lone star ticks could be your #1 nemesis. AGS or alpha-gal syndrome is a red-meat allergy that develops in some people following a bite from a lone star tick. Here are some signs you might have AGS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What do you know:<\/strong> A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/72\/wr\/mm7230a1.htm?s_cid=mm7230a1_w\">2023 CDC survey<\/a> <\/strong>reveals health care professionals are unaware of, or uncertain about diagnosing alpha-gal syndrome.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Germs<\/strong>: Lone star ticks can spread germs that cause a variety of diseases including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/ehrlichiosis\/about\/index.html\"><strong>Ehrlichiosis<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/tularemia\/about\/index.html\"><strong>Tularemia<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/lyme\/about\/about-southern-tick-associated-rash-illness.html\"><strong>Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness<\/strong><\/a> (STARI), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/heartland-virus\/about\/index.html\"><strong>Heartland Virus<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/bourbon-virus\/about\/index.html\"><strong>Bourbon Virus<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/alpha-gal-syndrome\/in-depth\/tick-species\/art-20546861] \" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Lone-Star-tick.jpeg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"female lone star tick\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>GUIDE to different tick species and the diseases they carry<\/h2><p>From walking the dog to camping, it helps to know which ticks live in your area and what diseases they can spread.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">find out more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LIVING WITH ALPHA-GAL SYNDROME (AGS)<\/h2>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero  \"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/unnamed-3-Medium.jpeg);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for living with AGS from the Two Alpha Gals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>AGS 101<\/strong> :AGS is an allergic reaction triggered by a Lone Star tick bite. As the tick feeds on the individual, it injects a sugar molecule named galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (commonly referred to as alpha-gal) through saliva into the skin. This exposure can prompt the reprogramming of the immune system of certain individuals to produce IgE antibodies, specifically targeting the alpha-gal sugar. What makes AGS unusual is the timing\u2014unlike most food allergies that cause symptoms within minutes, AGS reactions often happen 3 to 6 hours after eating red meat or other mammal-based products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RI is newly at risk. <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/uncategorized\/survey-tick-experiences-and-alpha-gal-syndrome-awareness-across-new-england\/\">What do folks have to say? <\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/alpha-gal-syndrome\/products-that-contain-alpha-gal\/index.html\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-04-24-at-10.58.16-AM-Medium.jpeg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>THINK before you take a bite&#8230;<\/h2><p>Find out about products that may contain alpha-gal<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">explore\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Education &amp; Awareness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/ticksmart\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Tick-Encounter-2019-1.png\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>TickEncounter<\/h2><p>Tools and resources for all things tick bite prevention.<br><br><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">visit us<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/www.twoalphagals.com\/resources\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/lightbulb.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Two Alpha Gals Resources\n<\/h2><p>Two Alpha Gals Resources: \u201cEducation &amp; Resources to help you bridge the gap between healthcare and human care.\u201d<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">learn more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/www.twoalphagals.com\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/unnamed-3-Medium.jpeg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Living with Alpha Gal Syndrome? <\/h2><p>Check out the Two Alpha Gals website!<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">click here\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/vhpl.blogspot.com\/2025\/01\/how-to-talk-to-your-doctor-about-alpha.html\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/AGS-Provider-Talk.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Do you think you have AGS?<\/h2><p>Check out this blog post and recording highlighting how to start the conversation with your doctor<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/1744666X.2020.1782745\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/vardan-papikyan-JzE1dHEaAew-unsplash-scaled-e1646675949261.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Alpha Gal Research<\/h2><p>Looking for concise, practical, and clinically relevant insights on AGS check out Dr. Commins summary here<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">read here<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tick Photo Credit: James Gathany, Dr. Amanda Loftis, Dr. William Nicholson, Dr. Will Reeves, Dr. Chris Paddock, via CDC Public Health Image Library LONE STAR TICKS LONE STAR TICK ASSOCIATED DISEASES LIVING WITH ALPHA-GAL SYNDROME (AGS) Tips for living with AGS from the Two Alpha Gals Education &amp; Awareness<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4045,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-25665","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4045"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25665"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25858,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25665\/revisions\/25858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}