Signs & Symptoms of Tick Disease

Ticks are small arachnids that burrow into the skin of animals and humans, sucking their blood. Ticks can transmit several serious diseases to humans. If you know what signs and symptoms to look for, you can get early treatment before serious illness or death occurs.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever was originally named black measles, because it causes an almost black rash on the skin. Symptoms include rash, high fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle pain, lethargy, chills and lack of appetite. This disease is treatable with antibiotics if caught early.

Lyme Disease

• Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by ticks all over the United States and Canada. It can cause problems in the heart, nervous system and joints if left untreated. Symptoms are fever, headache, bull's-eye rash and fatigue.

Babesiosis

• Babesiosis is caused by parasites that are spread by ticks worldwide. You can have babesiosis and have no symptoms or any sign of illness. But in some cases you can become very sick and die. It is not known why people react differently to the parasite. Symptoms are fever, chills, headache, sore muscles, sweating, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

Tularemia

• Tularemia is a disease transmitted by ticks that can be fatal. Symptoms are fever, chills, headache, diarrhea, painful joints, cough and lethargy. This disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.

Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis

• Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are similar diseases but are caused by two different germs spread by ticks. Symptoms are skin rash, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea and tiredness. If left untreated, it can be fatal or cause damage to internal organs.

Recognize the Types of Ticks

• The ticks that spread these diseases often look slightly different. If you take a note of the markings of the tick or save the tick for later inspection, this can help diagnose you if you do get sick later on.