It's the time of year where we can't wait to get outside and enjoy the warm weather.
But before you head outside, there are some things to consider in order to play it safe.
For example, do you have to wait an hour after eating to go swimming? And do you only get poison ivy if you have other allergies?
Dr. Mallika Marshall joins The Saturday Early Show with an outdoor safety quiz that you can play along with.
Which of the following is a sign an animal may have rabies?
A. Extreme withdrawal
B. Aggression
C. Partial paralysis
D. All of the above
The correct answer is D.
An animal with rabies could exhibit all or just some of these symptoms. It's very rare for someone's family pet to come down with rabies because we require vaccinations in this country. So most cases of people contracting the disease occur in the wild.
Animals that you need to be on the look out for include raccoons, skunks and bats. If you are bitten or even scratched by a suspect animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and get in touch with your physician as soon as possible.
The symptoms of rabies in a person include fever, cough, or sore throat. This will be followed by restlessness, hallucinations and seizures. And it can ultimately cause coma and death.
True or false? You only react to poison ivy if you have other allergies. The correct answer is false.
You can have no other allergies and still get a bad reaction from the poison ivy plant.
Poison ivy typically causes symptoms including itching, red skin, blisters and hive-like swelling which are caused by an oily resin that is also found in poison sumac and poison oak. If you come in contact with the plant wash the affected area immediately with soap and water.
If you do begin to exhibit symptoms your treatment options include non-prescription antihistamines and calamine lotion. Some people with serious cases may require medical attention but in most instances these over-the-counter products should do the job.
The best way to prevent poison ivy is to wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants when hiking or walking in areas where the plant may be.
True or false? It takes a tick just 12 hours to transmit lyme disease.The correct answer is false.
In most cases a tick has to be lodged in your skin for about 36 hours. This is good news because it gives you time to check your skin after spending time outdoors, especially in the woods.
If you do get a tick bite, get a pair of tweezers and remove as much of the tick as possible. Don't use matches or vaseline, this could only make the problem worse.
Symptoms of lyme disease include a bulls eye-like rash around the site of the bite, body aches, fatigue, and mild fever. If you exhibit any of these symptoms see a doctor right away because the sooner you treat Lyme Disease the better. If its caught early enough treatment with antibiotics will usually do the job.
True or false? You should always carry an epi-pen if you've had a bad reaction to a bee sting.The correct answer is true.
If you've ever had a serious reaction to a bee sting you want to make sure you get a prescription for an Epi-pen from your doctor.
Symptoms of a serious bee sting reaction include swelling around the eyes, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing or numbness that is severe. If you exhibit any of these symptoms and don't have a pen, get to the emergency room immediately.
True or false? Wait an hour after eating before swimming.
The correct answer is false.
The Red Cross says there is no specific time you should wait before going swimming. You just want to make sure you feel energetic before going for a dip. Some people feel sluggish after eating, if you are one of these people don't go in the water.