Buzz
Ticks are increasingly prevalent across numerous regions in the United States. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the types of ticks in your area, as various species exist. Additionally, understanding the symptoms of common tick-borne illnesses is crucial, especially if you’re bitten and begin to feel unwell.
This compilation doesn’t cover every tick-borne disease (there are many), but it highlights the most frequent ones, along with some rare conditions that have garnered media attention. When a rare tick-borne disease results in a fatality, local news outlets often report on it. However, it’s vital to remember that such diseases are uncommon. While there’s no need for alarm, it’s wise to use insect repellent and regularly check for ticks.
Diagnosing many tick-borne diseases can be challenging due to their rarity and non-specific symptoms. If you experience an unexplained fever, consult a doctor—and don’t forget to mention if you’ve recently discovered a tick attached to your skin.
Lyme disease
How prevalent is it? Lyme disease ranks among the more frequent tick-borne illnesses, with 8.7 confirmed cases annually per 100,000 individuals in the US. However, this is an average—states like Vermont report rates ten times higher.
Where is it found? Lyme disease is predominantly found in the northeastern United States and the Great Lakes region, though isolated cases occur elsewhere in the country.
What symptoms should you watch for? Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and frequently, though not always, a distinctive bullseye-shaped rash around the bite. These signs may appear days or weeks after the bite. In later stages, joint pain, numbness, tingling, and facial paralysis may occur. Antibiotics are effective in treating the disease.
Babesiosis
How prevalent is it? It is much rarer than Lyme disease, with less than 1 case per 100,000 individuals annually in affected states.
Where is it found? Its distribution overlaps with Lyme disease, with cases most frequently reported in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, and New England.
What symptoms should you look for? Symptoms, which may appear weeks to months after a tick bite, include fever, malaise, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and loss of appetite. The disease is caused by the parasite Babesia microti, which infects red blood cells. While many infected individuals may remain asymptomatic, those with weakened immune systems can experience severe or even life-threatening complications. Treatment involves antibiotics.
Ehrlichiosis
How common is it? It is uncommon, with only 1,642 cases reported in 2017.
Where is it found? It can be contracted anywhere within the habitat of the Lone Star tick, which spans the eastern half of the US, particularly the southeastern region.
What symptoms should you watch for? Fever, headache, and muscle pain may develop within one to two weeks after a bite. In severe instances, the disease can impact the brain, leading to confusion. If left untreated, Ehrlichiosis can become severe or even deadly for some individuals. Antibiotics are effective in treating the condition.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
How prevalent is it? In 2017, there were over 6,000 reported cases, making it relatively rare—approximately 17 cases per million people in the most affected states.
Where is it most common? It can occur nearly anywhere in the contiguous US, but the highest incidence is in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri.
What symptoms should you look for? Fever, headache, muscle aches, and abdominal pain typically appear two to five days after the bite. Without treatment, this disease (and its related conditions, collectively known as spotted fever rickettsioses) can be fatal. Antibiotics are effective in treating it.
Tularemia
How prevalent is it? It is uncommon, with only a few hundred cases reported annually in the US. Interestingly, this is one of the few tick-borne diseases that is becoming less common over time.
Where is it found? It can occur anywhere in the US, but it is most frequently reported in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and, curiously, Martha’s Vineyard.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms such as fever, chills, diarrhea, headaches, joint pain, and weakness may develop a few days after the tick bite. In rare instances, the disease can become life-threatening. Treatment involves antibiotics.
Powassan virus
How prevalent is it? Extremely rare, with only 33 cases documented in 2017.
Where is it found? Most cases in the US are reported in the northeastern states and the Great Lakes region.
What symptoms should you watch for? Early signs include fever, headache, and vomiting, but severe cases can progress to dangerous brain inflammation.
Bourbon virus and Heartland virus
How prevalent is it? It is exceedingly rare, so if you came across the recent article on Bourbon virus calling it a “mystery killer virus,” there’s no need for alarm. The CDC has recorded only 30 cases of Heartland virus to date. Both diseases are so uncommon that they remain poorly understood.
What symptoms should you look for? Early signs typically include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and nausea.
