Ticks, the summer season’s most unwelcome guests, could put you and your family at risk for serious diseases. CNN spoke with two experts about how to protect yourself and what steps to take if you or someone you know is bitten.

Ticks are a significant concern for people spending time outdoors, with up to 31 million people in the United States bitten each year. These parasites can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with the risk depending on tick species, region, and season.

Experts recommend taking precautions before outdoor activities and conducting thorough tick checks upon returning indoors. Services like the University of Rhode Island's Tick Spotters can help identify ticks and assess risk by analyzing submitted photos. If bitten, it is important to remove the tick promptly and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms develop in the following days or weeks.

How to stay safe from ticks

Right now is the time to be vigilant. Ticks. The bane of outdoor enthusiasts nationwide. We have new numbers that show up to 31 million people in the United States are bitten by them each year. And it's not only the creepy factor. These tiny parasites can cause some big time illnesses. The Lyme disease is one most people have heard of, but depending on where you live, it might be ehrlichiosis, wasp virus disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever. And all of these things can be very serious. Different ticks transmit different germs. Those different ticks in different parts of the country at different times of year all determine your risk of getting an infection. And that's why Dr. Thomas Mathur and his tick encounter team at the University of Rhode Island offer tick spotters, where you can submit a picture of the tick to get expert guidance. They send a clear picture of the top side of a tick. I can tell them within 24 hours what kind of tick it is, what the likely risk is. Experts say next time you go on a hike or just to play in the yard, take precautions. And always do a tick check when you come inside. And if you do get bit. You know, get the tick off as soon as possible. And if in a few days to weeks that you're feeling sick, it's important to remember that tick bite and go to the health care provider and talk about it.

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