What disease is caused by a tick? - briefly
Ticks transmit Lyme disease, an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Other notable tick‑borne illnesses include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
What disease is caused by a tick? - in detail
Ticks transmit several infectious agents, the most prevalent being a bacterial illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This condition, known as Lyme disease, presents initially with a expanding erythema migrans rash, often accompanied by fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Early infection may progress to joint inflammation, cardiac conduction abnormalities, and neurological manifestations such as facial palsy or meningitis if untreated. Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment supported by serologic testing for specific antibodies. First‑line therapy consists of doxycycline for adults and children over eight years; alternative regimens include amoxicillin or cefuroxime. Prompt antibiotic administration within weeks of symptom onset markedly reduces the risk of chronic complications.
Another significant tick‑borne infection is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, produced by Rickettsia rickettsii. The disease begins with abrupt fever, chills, headache, and myalgia, followed by a maculopapular rash that typically starts on wrists and ankles before spreading centrally. Severe cases may develop hypotension, organ failure, and neurological deficits. Diagnosis is clinical, supplemented by polymerase chain reaction or serology when available. Doxycycline remains the treatment of choice for all age groups, administered promptly to prevent mortality.
A third notable condition is anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Patients experience fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. Peripheral blood smear may reveal morulae within granulocytes. Early doxycycline therapy leads to rapid clinical improvement.
Babesiosis, resulting from Babesia microti infection, resembles malaria with hemolytic anemia, fever, chills, and jaundice. Diagnosis utilizes thick and thin blood smears or PCR. Therapeutic regimens combine atovaquone with azithromycin; severe disease may require clindamycin and quinine.
Tick‑borne encephalitis, transmitted by TBE virus, manifests after a biphasic course: initial flu‑like symptoms, a brief remission, then neurological involvement such as meningitis, encephalitis, or cerebellar ataxia. No specific antiviral therapy exists; supportive care and corticosteroids are employed in severe cases. Vaccination offers effective prophylaxis in endemic regions.
Prevention strategies include wearing protective clothing, applying EPA‑registered repellents, performing thorough tick checks after outdoor exposure, and promptly removing attached ticks with fine‑tipped forceps. Landscape management to reduce tick habitats further lowers transmission risk.