Tick-borne Disease
Ticks are capable of transmitting several different diseases to humans. These diseases can be spread through different types of ticks including the Black Legged tick, Dog tick and the Lone Star tick. While tick-borne illnesses are treatable, the potential for developing harmful complications does exist. For this reason, it is important to try to reduce your risk of exposure to ticks and to learn how to prevent tick-borne illnesses.
Some common tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis and Tularemia. Although some of these diseases can be transmitted in other ways, they are usually transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. After a bite, it can take from 3 to 14 days to become sick, depending on the particular disease.
Common symptoms may include fever, severe headache, chills, nausea or vomiting, muscle and joint pain and weakness. Clinical diagnoses are confirmed through blood tests.
If you had a tick bite and are experiencing these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Each of these diseases can be successfully treated with antibiotics, particularly in the early stages.
Additional Resources
- Fight The Bite - Prevent Tick-Borne Illness (English)
- Fight The Bite - Prevent Tick-Borne Illness (Spanish)
- Insect Repellent Essentials: A Brief Guide
- Lyme Disease Information Page
- Tick Identification
- Tick Testing Labs for the General Public
- Tick-Borne Diseases
- American Lyme Disease Foundation
- CDC - Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- CDC - Human Ehrlichiosis in the United States
- NJDOH - Tularemia Page
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