What Diseases Do Ticks Carry?
You just went on a lovely afternoon walk with your friends. Maybe you brought your pup along. You feel great because you were outside in that sunshine, getting your serotonin levels up like the good human being you are. But then you go to take a shower later and feel something on your scalp. It seems you took home and brought in a little unwanted buddy in the form of a tick. What kind is it? Should you be worried? Do you have a disease now? What viruses do ticks carry? Before you spiral, here are the main diseases ticks carry, which ticks transmit what virus, and some quick tips on how to keep the ticks away.
Probably the most well-known and popular disease a tick can transmit to a human, pet or other animal is Lyme Disease, which you can get from a Deer Tick. It takes around 36 to 48 hours for the tick to be attached to transmit the virus, so you should consistently check yourself and your pets when you come back in from a walk. If caught, antibiotics can help prevent the transmission of Lyme disease if given within 72 hours of infection. As a serious bacterial infection, Lyme disease isn't something you want to get.
Rocky Mountain Spotted FeverThe next most common disease is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which is transmitted by the American Dog Tick.
AnaplasmosisAnother possible disease transmitted by the Deer Tick, anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection that takes about one to two weeks to pop up if transmitted.
Bourbon VirusMost cases of this rare virus have been noted in the Southern U.S. and the Midwest. First identified in Bourbon County, Kansas, in 2014, there is limited knowledge about the tick-spread Bourbon virus.
Heartland VirusThe Heartland virus is spread via ticks in the South-Central, Southeastern and Eastern United States.
This once-rare virus is becoming more frequently seen in recent years. The Powassan virus is only spread through infected ticks, with the common culprit being the Deer Tick.
BabesiosisPassed around by the Deer Tick, babesiosis is caused by a parasite infection of red blood cells. In the United States, the most common type that infects humans is the Babesia microti.
EhrlichiosisThe Blacklegged Tick and the Lone Star Tick spread a group of diseases collectively known as ehrlichiosis, which, for people in the U.S., is caused by three main types of bacteria.
TularemiaTularemia is everywhere in the United States except for Hawaii, and is transmitted through ticks. It can infect people and animals, with rabbits and hares being high carriers of the disease.
Found mostly in Western Canada and the Western United States, Colorado Tick Fever is a rare viral disease that is transmitted through a bite from the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick.
Soft Tick Relapsing FeverThe soft tick species Ornithodoros transmits the Borrelia bacteria that causes Soft Tick Relapsing Fever. If you don't seek treatment for this, the cycle of the fever can continue multiple times. This is a serious disease for pregnant women, as it could cause pregnancy loss or affect the fetus.
Hard Tick Relapsing FeverAn infected Blacklegged Tick or Western Blacklegged Tick transmits Borrelia miyamotoi, resulting in hard Tick Relapsing Fever. First identified in Japan in 1995, HTRL cases have been noted in North Asia, Europe and North America.
Southern Tick-Associated Rash IllnessSouthern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, also known as STARI, follows along similar lines to Lyme disease in terms of the rash and other symptoms. This illness is transmitted by the Lone Star Tick, which is an aggressive biter.
SymptomsFor almost all of these tick-related illnesses, diseases and viruses, symptoms are a lot alike. From red, itchy bumps to initial flu-like symptoms to a headache, fatigue and rash, they all go through a closely related cycle.
For any infected tick to transmit one of these diseases, it needs to be attached for at least 24 hours, up to 48 hours, so the best prevention is to check yourself whenever you come in from a walk in a wooded area, a dog park if you have a fur baby,
It's when new things pop up days or weeks later, like a rash, change in color, any oozing, or symptoms like extreme fatigue, dizziness or intense aches and pains, you want to seek medical treatment immediately.
Unfortunately, there are no vaccinations or preventative medications you can take. There is nothing available like popping an allergy pill and then getting to rub your face in your doggo. While some of these diseases can be treated with doxycycline, cefuromine axetil or amoxicillin for a few weeks, like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, you still have to watch out for the symptoms to know if and when to get treated. It's all reactionary with tick-transmitted diseases, unless you have professionals treat your yard regularly to keep them out.
How to Prevent Tick-Transmitted IllnessesThe only real way to prevent getting a tick-transmitted disease is to not get bit, and to remove any ticks within 24 hours. This means having a diligent and rigorous routine in checking for ticks when you come back from walks or hikes and taking precautions before you even go. When you do go out, wear long clothing (top and bottom) and always wear at least 20% DEET bug spray. Maintaining your own yard, whether that's mowing the grass regularly or having professionals spray during the warm months, will help keep ticks out of your yard.
If you notice a tick on you, remove it immediately, save it, and get it and yourself to a doctor. Getting ticks tested is one way health departments can accurately inform the public about cases so they can take the steps to stay safe, and so you can get the proper treatment.
Getting an illness or disease from a little creature like a tick is not the most fun part of being a human, but it is a risk we all take when we go outside.
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