There are 17 known tickborne illnesses that impact people in continental North America. However, some of these are either rare or restricted to specific biomes. What is most important to remember is that everyone can come into contact with various species of ticks, even if they do not enjoy the pleasures of the Great Outdoors. Ticks are found almost everywhere and can live in both natural and built environments. To increase general knowledge about the most common diseases transmitted via tick bites, we’ve compiled a list of the five most common vectors and some simple facts about each.
1. Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is one of the most common tickborne illnesses, transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Found in the systems of Blackleg ticks, the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi cause the disease, which is discerned through early symptom identification, testing of ticks found in the region, and human blood tests. These symptoms include a distinctive target-shaped rash at the bite site, headache, joint pain, fever, and fatigue. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to the heart, nervous system, and joints, causing more severe and irreversible damage.
2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
As one of a group of diseases caused by bacteria Rickettsia, RMSF is particularly common in the continental United States. The most visible symptom, from which the disease takes its name is a spotty, non-itchy rash. This rash may begin at the wrists or ankles and spread in all directions. While the other symptoms usually manifest within a couple of days of infection, some individuals do not present them within the first two weeks. These include severe headaches, high fever, chills, nausea, and insomnia. Because these can mimic symptoms of other illnesses, the presence of the rash is commonly used to identify infection.
3. Powassan Encephalitis
Unlike many diseases caused by tick bites, this is a virus. Most common in the Great Lakes area, primary symptoms include fever, vomiting, weakness, headache, disorientation, seizures, and memory loss. If left untreated, it leads to swelling in the brain and can impair respiratory and nervous system functions. Advancement of the disease may result in coma. However, even in cases where consciousness goes unimpaired, patients may require IV fluids and the assistance of a respirator to prevent serious reduction of lung functions. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Powassan.
4. Ehrlichiosis
Another bacterial vector transmitted by ticks is Ehrlichiosis. This disease requires a prolonged feeding period of 24 hours and may take up to two weeks to manifest flu-like symptoms. These include mild fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, chills, cough, rash, muscle aches, vomiting, joint pain, confusion, and fatigue. While in cases where the disease is mild, the body may fight it off unassisted, doctors typically prescribe 10-day regimens of broad spectrum antibiotics. Cases that exhibit an unusually severe symptom load may be cause for more extensive courses of antibiotics or hospitalization.
5. Anaplasmosis
A species of bacteria in several species of ticks distributed across the United States causes Anaplasmosis. Symptoms may not manifest until two weeks after a bite occurs. Physicians remind the public that not all symptoms will occur in all people exposed to the bacteria, so it’s crucial to be mindful when venturing into known tick habitats. Confusion, cough, nausea, chills, fever, malaise, headache, muscle pain, and sometimes a rash are usually associated with this disease.
Because ticks live in almost every zone of North America, it’s important to be vigilant when you are working, hiking, or camping in places that they favor. These are brushy forests or thickets that provide plenty of hiding places and hunting opportunities for ticks. The good news is that, because bacterial agents cause most tickborne illnesses, physicians can treat them effectively if the diagnosis is swift.
