Morning Medical Update: The dos and don’ts of tick season; Does my health insurance cover international travel?; Air pollution and mental health

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The dos and don’ts of tick season

Tick season started in April and will run through August. Experts advise to stay away from heavily wooded and grassy areas. If a tick bite still occurs, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. “You should follow up with your primary care physician if you develop a rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, or joint pain and swelling within weeks after removing a tick,” Nicole Frey, DO, a resident physician at McLaren Greater Lansing Family Medicine said in a news release.

Does my health insurance cover international travel?

The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to check with their insurance policies before they leave the country. Most insurance companies do not cover routine medical expenses such as a prescription refill but may cover an emergency such as a broken leg. To have the most secure coverage, it’s encouraged that travelers research travel medical insurance options.

Air pollution and mental health

It’s a known fact that air pollution takes a physical toll, but new research shows that it may take a mental toll as well. “If we exercise and spend time in nature we become extra resilient,” Kristen Greenwald, an environmental social worker and adjunct professor at the University of Denver said in an article. “[Patients] can’t go outside without feeling they are making themselves more sick or distressed.”