Ticks and Diseases they Spread

Ticks might be small, but they can pack a powerful punch. These eight-legged relatives of spiders feed on the blood of animals, including humans, and can transmit a variety of diseases in the process. In fact, they’re second only to mosquitoes in spreading illnesses to people in the United States.

Tick Territory

These disease-carrying hitchhikers can be found almost anywhere in the US, but some areas have more tick activity than others. Different regions also have different tick species, each carrying its own set of potential diseases. For example, Lyme disease is a bigger concern in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, while Rocky Mountain spotted fever is more common in the Southeast.

Ticks love to hide in wooded areas with lots of undergrowth, tall grass, and leaf litter. They can also be found in your own backyard, especially in overgrown patches, woodpiles, or around bird feeders.

Not All Ticks Carry Disease

But you don’t need to fear every tick you see. Here are some of the common tick species that can transmit diseases to humans:

• American dog tick (also called wood tick)
• Blacklegged tick (also called deer tick)
• Brown dog tick
• Gulf Coast tick
• Lone star tick
• Rocky Mountain wood tick
• Western blacklegged tick

Who gets bitten?

Anyone who spends time outdoors is at risk of a tick bite. You don’t have to be deep in the woods – many people get bitten while gardening, playing in their yards, or simply enjoying their own property. Ticks can even hitch a ride on pets or other animals, dropping off in your yard and waiting for their next blood meal.

What diseases do ticks spread?

Ticks are notorious for spreading diseases by transmitting bacteria, viruses, and parasites to humans during their blood meals. These diseases often manifest with flu-like symptoms, including chills, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Let’s explore some of the diseases spread by ticks:

1. Anaplasmosis: This bacterial infection, transmitted by blacklegged ticks in the Northeast and Upper Midwest or western blacklegged ticks on the West Coast, can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches. Without timely treatment with antibiotics, it can lead to severe complications, such as organ failure.
2. Babesiosis: Contracted from blacklegged ticks, this parasitic infection affects red blood cells, leading to symptoms resembling malaria, including fever, fatigue, and hemolytic anemia. Severe cases can be life-threatening, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems or those without a spleen.
3. Borrelia mayamotoi: This relatively lesser-known tick-borne disease, transmitted by blacklegged ticks, presents with symptoms akin to Lyme disease, including joint pain, fatigue, and fever. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are crucial to preventing long-term complications.
4. Colorado Tick Fever: Caused by the Colorado tick, this viral infection manifests with recurring fevers, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. Although typically mild, severe cases can result in neurological complications.
5. Ehrlichiosis: Transmitted by the lone star tick, this bacterial infection causes symptoms similar to those of other tick-borne diseases, including fever, headache, and muscle aches. In severe cases, it can lead to organ failure and even death if left untreated.
6. Heartland virus: a recently discovered tick-borne virus, transmitted primarily by lone star ticks, causing fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Though rare, severe cases may result in multi-organ failure.
7. Lyme disease: Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by blacklegged ticks, Lyme disease can lead to a range of symptoms, including the characteristic bull’s-eye rash, joint pain, neurological issues, and cardiac abnormalities if left untreated. The good news is that Lyme disease is usually treated effectively with antibiotics. The earlier you begin treatment, the quicker you’ll recover and the less likely you are to experience complications.
8. Powassan virus: Blacklegged and groundhog ticks can transmit a rare but serious tick-borne virus that attacks the brain (encephalitis) and membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). This virus can cause lasting neurological problems or even death in severe cases.
9. Red meat allergy: A lone star tick bite can trigger a red meat allergy in some people. This allergic reaction causes symptoms like hives, swelling, stomach problems (gastrointestinal distress), and even a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis in severe cases.
10. Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis: The Gulf Coast tick bites and transmits a bacterial infection. This nasty infection causes fever, headaches, and leaves a dark scab (eschar) at the bite site. Timely antibiotic treatment is essential to prevent complications.
11. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF): Despite its name, RMSF is most prevalent in the Southeastern United States and is caused by various ticks. It can lead to severe complications, such as vasculitis, resulting in organ damage or failure if not promptly treated with antibiotics. For optimal outcomes, it’s crucial to initiate medication within five days of the onset of symptoms. Failure to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) can have dire consequences, as it poses a life-threatening risk. This illness inflicts damage to small blood vessels, potentially leading to inflammation in critical organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. Therefore, prompt medical intervention is essential to mitigate the potentially severe repercussions associated with RMSF.
12. Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI): Similar to Lyme disease but with an unknown cause, STARI presents with symptoms such as rash, joint pain, and fatigue, transmitted by lone star ticks.
13. Tick-borne relapsing fever: Soft-bodied ticks lurking in mountainous areas transmit this bacterial infection. The illness strikes with repeated fever attacks followed by symptom-free periods. It often hits people who’ve been around environments infested with rodents.
14. Tularemia: Contracted from various ticks across the country, tularemia can lead to symptoms such as fever, skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, and pneumonia, with severe cases requiring antibiotic treatment to prevent complications such as sepsis or pneumonia.
15. 364D rickettsiosis: California has a new tick-borne disease on the horizon! The Pacific Coast tick transmits an illness that triggers fever and skin lesions. Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential to prevent the progression to severe illness.

Sources:

1. CDC: “Life Cycle of Hard Ticks That Spread Disease,” “Geographic Distribution of Ticks That Bite Humans,” “Lyme Disease,” “Symptoms of Tickborne Illness,” “Tickborne Diseases of the United States,” “Anaplasmosis,” “Babesiosis,” “What you need to know about Borrelia miyamotoi,” “Colorado Tick Fever,” “Powassan Virus,” “Other Tick-borne Spotted Fever Rickettsial Infections,” “Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF),” “Tularemia.
2. State of Michigan: “Ticks and Your Health.”
3. Mayo Clinic: “Lyme Disease,” “Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.”
4. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology: “Meat Allergy.”
5. Medscape: “Tick-Borne Diseases.”
6. Illinois Department of Public Health: “Common Ticks.”
7. Purdue University, Medical Entomology, “Ticks.”
8. University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center: “How to Remove a Tick.”