Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Diseases
Although ticks do not suffer from infectious diseases to which they are exposed, their bodies harbor bacteria that are transmitted to other organisms via tick bite. Ticks are known for being vectors of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, tularemia and ehrlichiosis, among other diseases.
Lyme disease, or borreliosis, is a disease caused by a bacterium carried primarily by the deer tick species. Lyme disease is characterized by symptoms such as a circular rash surrounding the bitten area, joint pain, muscle pain, stiffness and general bodily pain. If left untreated, Lyme disease may lead to paralysis and a weakening of the circulatory system. This disease can prove fatal if not treated early.
Primarily deer ticks also transmit babesiosis. Some cases exhibit symptoms such as jaundice and high body temperature. As such, they may be diagnosed with malaria. People experiencing this illness are also prone to anemia, as the responsible bacterium inhabits and damages red blood cells.
Wood ticks are transmitters of tularemia and ehrlichiosis and are vectors of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include strong fevers, severe headaches, soreness of muscles and rashes. Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, results in swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and vomiting. Ehrlichiosis can be contracted through wood tick, deer tick and lone star tick bites. This disease poses a threat to white blood cells and typically results in vomiting and loss of appetite.
While some tick-borne diseases can prove fatal if left untreated, all are curable when dealt with in a timely manner. It is best to seek medical treatment immediately following a suspected tick bite or at the first sign of tick-borne illness.
