Tick Borne Disease

Tick borne diseases are becoming more common as people build houses in more remote locations. Most people get tick bites in the spring and summer when they spend more time outdoors. There are five main diseases that are transmitted by ticks.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever was the first tick borne disease discovered in 1896 in Idaho. The original name of this illness was called black measles because the rash turns the skin black. It used to be a fatal disease but now there are antibiotics that can treat it.

Lyme Disease

• The first case of Lyme disease was discovered in Connecticut in 1970, but is now spread by ticks in every state of the U.S. except Hawaii. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can spread to the heart, nervous system and joints if left untreated. Symptoms are fever, headache, rash and fatigue.

Babesiosis

• Babesiosis is caused by parasites that are spread by ticks worldwide. You can have Babesiosis and remain healthy or in some cases become very sick and even die. It is not known why some people have a bad reaction. It is easily treated with medication if a doctor is able to diagnose it in time.

Tularemia

• Tularemia is a disease that has been shown to be fatal in 2 percent of cases reported. Symptoms are fever, chills, headache, diarrhea, painful joints, cough and lethargy. This disease can be treated with antibiotics.

Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis

• Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis are similar diseases but caused by two different germs spread by ticks. Symptoms are similar to influenza, but you may also have a skin rash. If left untreated, it can be fatal or cause damage to internal organs.