What Are Ticks and Diseases Do They Spread?
Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are vectors for a number of diseases, including:
* Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium *Borrelia burgdorferi* and is transmitted through the bite of an infected *Ixodes* tick. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and a bull's-eye rash at the site of the tick bite. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious health problems, including arthritis, heart problems, and neurological disorders.
* Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is caused by the bacterium *Rickettsia rickettsii* and is transmitted through the bite of an infected *Dermacentor* tick. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a rash that starts on the wrists and ankles and spreads to the rest of the body. If left untreated, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be fatal.
* Ehrlichiosis, which is caused by the bacteria *Ehrlichia chaffeensis* and *Ehrlichia ewingii* and is transmitted through the bite of an infected *Amblyomma* tick. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. If left untreated, ehrlichiosis can lead to serious health problems, including pneumonia, liver damage, and kidney failure.
* Tularemia, which is caused by the bacterium *Francisella tularensis* and is transmitted through the bite of an infected *Dermacentor* or *Amblyomma* tick. Symptoms of tularemia can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a skin ulcer at the site of the tick bite. If left untreated, tularemia can lead to serious health problems, including pneumonia, liver damage, and kidney failure.
* Powassan virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected *Ixodes* tick. Symptoms of Powassan virus can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and vomiting. In severe cases, Powassan virus can lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and death.
Here are some tips to help you avoid tick bites:
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when you are in areas where ticks are known to live.
* Tuck your pants into your socks.
* Use insect repellent containing DEET.
* Check your skin for ticks after you have been in areas where ticks are known to live.
* Remove ticks promptly and properly.
If you are bitten by a tick, take the following steps:
* Remove the tick as soon as possible with a pair of tweezers.
* Clean the area with soap and water.
* Apply an antibiotic ointment to the area.
* Monitor your health for symptoms of tick-borne diseases.