What can you contract from a tick? - briefly
Ticks transmit bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens, with Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) being the most prevalent. Other significant infections include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick‑borne encephalitis.
What can you contract from a tick? - in detail
Ticks are vectors for a range of pathogens that affect humans and animals. The most common infections include:
- Lyme disease – caused by Borrelia burgdorferi; early signs are erythema migrans rash, fever, headache, fatigue; later stages may involve arthritis, neurologic deficits, cardiac conduction abnormalities. Doxycycline is first‑line therapy; alternative agents are amoxicillin or cefuroxime.
- Anaplasmosis – infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum; symptoms comprise fever, chills, myalgia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia. Doxycycline administered for 10–14 days resolves most cases.
- Ehrlichiosis – caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis or related species; presents with fever, rash, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count. Prompt doxycycline treatment is essential.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Rickettsia rickettsii infection; hallmark is a rash that begins on wrists and ankles and spreads centrally; severe complications include shock, organ failure. Doxycycline started within 24 hours dramatically reduces mortality.
- Babesiosis – protozoan Babesia microti infection; hemolytic anemia, fever, chills, jaundice; treatment combines atovaquone and azithromycin or clindamycin plus quinine for severe disease.
- Tick‑borne relapsing fever – Borrelia spp.; recurring febrile episodes, headache, myalgia; tetracycline or erythromycin are effective.
- Powassan virus disease – flavivirus; encephalitis or meningitis may develop; no specific antiviral therapy, supportive care required.
- Tularemia – Francisella tularensis; ulceroglandular form produces ulcerated skin lesion and regional lymphadenopathy; streptomycin or gentamicin are preferred antibiotics.
- Southern tick‑associated rash illness (STARI) – resembles early Lyme rash; etiology uncertain; doxycycline often prescribed empirically.
Rarely, ticks transmit bacterial agents such as Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) and Bartonella spp., as well as parasites like Theileria in specific regions.
Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, exposure history, and laboratory confirmation (serology, PCR, blood smear). Early recognition and treatment prevent progression to chronic or severe manifestations.
Prevention strategies include wearing protective clothing, applying EPA‑registered repellents, performing thorough body checks after outdoor activity, and removing attached ticks promptly with fine‑point tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling steadily.