Ticks and Diseases They Carry

Transmitting Disease

The most significant concern with ticks is not the bite but rather what they transfer from their blood to yours. Most importantly, you should know that not every tick will infect you. It has everything to do with where they’ve been and who or what they’ve previously latched onto.

For instance, if a tick feeds on an infected rodent, it will pass parasites, bacteria, and a virus onto you. The tick must be attached for some period, usually 24 hours, to spread Lime disease. So, if you catch one before it’s even latched, your chances of getting such a condition are drastically reduced.

Ticks and the Common Pathogens They Carry

Each tick that frequents the Garden State comes with risks. It’s essential to identify the tick that bit you and what the potential outcome might be. Keeping a reference guide handy can keep you from panicking when it’s not necessary. Here are the most common diseases associated with ticks and which species carry these conditions.

1. Lyme Disease

The most talked-about tick-related illness is Lyme disease. After much research, the CDC has confirmed that two distinct species can transmit this disease: the western black-legged and the black-legged tick. Be advised that this species is known as the deer tick in this area, and the western black-legged is found in the western side of the country.

It’s impossible to know if you have contracted this disease right after you’ve been bitten. The hallmark of a problem is a bullseye rash that appears at the point of contact. This rash, also known as erythema migrans, usually appears 2-30 days after the bite.

It’s a series of circles that appear around the point of contact. The rash can grow as the virus takes hold in the body, and the bullseye can branch out to more than 12 inches in some individuals. The bullseye isn’t always apparent initially but can become more evident as the virus sinks more profoundly into the system.

Many doctors will start a preventative regimen of antibiotics if this type of tick bites a person, and there’s a concern about this disease. It’s always better to be ahead of it as it can be debilitating. Most people have flu symptoms, including fevers, body aches, headaches, and a general unwell feeling. However, there are more severe cases where people can develop neurological issues.

Remember that not every deer tick will give you Lyme disease, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you see any rash forming around the site where you were bitten, getting medical attention immediately is essential.

2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

The Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria is responsible for the severe condition known as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Three ticks—the American dog, brown dog, and Rocky Mountain wood ticks—can spread this condition.

RMSF is a severe illness that can cause death if not treated immediately. Affected individuals will usually know they have an issue within 2-14 days after they were bitten. The three most common symptoms of RMSF are fever, rash, and headaches. The fevers with this condition can become alarmingly high, so it’s important not to ignore such symptoms.

People can die without treatment from RMSF, and there’s also the risk of complications like tissue and organ failure, as well as damage to blood vessels. If you can remove the tick from your body and put it in a safe container for examination, it might be helpful to the medical team assisting you.

3. Alpha Gal

Alpha gal has become increasingly popular over the last few years with thousands of cases exploding nationwide. While many ticks carry this bacterium, the one to watch in this area is the lone star species.

Alpha gal is an allergic reaction in the body when eating red meat. Technically, it’s a sugar molecule that naturally exists in things like dairy products and meat. While this is not an infection, it’s an allergy that forms from the presence of the tick bite.

Anyone recently bitten by a tick that has symptoms when eating dairy or meat products should immediately be tested. It’s not uncommon to have a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, trouble breathing, and stomach pains after eating any affected foods.

In addition to avoiding foods that have this sugar molecule, it’s important to have epinephrine to avoid anaphylactic shock. Additionally, doctors may prescribe steroids to help with the condition.

4. Borrelia Miyamotoi

The deer tick, or black-legged tick as it’s often called, is responsible for yet another vexing condition for humans. It’s easy to see that this tick is quite a troublemaker, so not only do you have to consider Lyme disease, but you must also consider Borrelia miyamotoi among others.

Ironically, Borrelia miyamotoi and Lyme disease are closely related, as the same bacteria strain causes them. When the deer tick bites, it transmits BMD into your bloodstream, leading to this infection. Those infected with this parasite will display fevers, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and chills.

Since this condition is so closely related to Lyme disease, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away. Thankfully, this disease can be treated with antibiotics, and the earlier you catch it, the better the outcome.

5. Anaplasmosis

As if the other two major conditions the deer tick caused weren’t enough, along comes yet another bacteria strain they transmit. Anaplasmosis is caused by deer ticks in the United States, but it’s caused by other ticks in countries worldwide.

Those who are infected with this condition may experience symptoms such as intermittent fevers, migraine-type headaches, muscle aches, chills, and possibly a rash. Anaplasmosis can be treated with antibiotics, and people usually have a full recovery.

6. Ehrlichiosis

The lone star tick is responsible for spreading the bacteria that causes Ehrlichiosis. The Ehrlichia bacteria enters the bloodstream through the bite and can wreak havoc on the system. Severe cases require immediate medical intervention and hospitalization.

However, most cases are mild and can easily be treated with antibiotics. Those suffering from this condition might experience confusion, fatigue, headaches, fevers, and a general feeling of unwellness.

7. Powassan Virus Disease

You have likely not heard of the Powassan virus, as it’s rare. This serious tick-borne illness affects the neurological system and can cause seizures, weakness, confusion, and even paralysis.

Powassan virus is another condition caused by the deer tick, but the groundhog tick in other parts of the country can also cause it. Thankfully, in New Jersey, the groundhog tick hasn’t been noted.

Unlike other conditions that can be treated with antibiotics, the Powassan virus has no cure. So, the course of action is to minimize the symptoms and make a person comfortable while their body fights off the bacteria.

8. Rabbit Fever

You’ve likely heard of cat scratch fever, but the chances you’ve heard of rabbit fever are rare. It’s also called Tularemia, and it’s caused by the parasite Francisella tularensis. The dog and wood tick are the two that transmit this condition, which can be serious.

The infection can take several pathways in the body, and the path it chooses dictates the severity of the condition. Some common symtoms include fevers, swollen lymph glands, respiratory distress, and even skin ulcers. The good news is that it can be treated with antibiotics, but it’s often a condition that lasts longer than a few days or weeks.

An Ounce of Prevention

These are just a few diseases a tick can spread to you, so you can see why prevention is essential. If you spend much time outdoors in the warmer months, you must take proper precautions to ensure you don’t become infected with one of these severe medical conditions. Here are a few things that you can do to protect yourself.

1. Keep Your Yard Mowed and Weeds Removed

Ticks like to hide due to their small size, so you must keep your yard trimmed short, and your weeds pulled. Any greenery they can use to hide is an excellent spot to wait for their next meal. Keeping your yard maintained will help to reduce the alluring appeal of your landscaping to these and other pests.

2. Use DEET Products

If you know you’re going to be in the woods or other high-traffic tick areas, spray yourself down with DEET. Any of these products help repel ticks, as they hate the smell. Make sure you reapply the spray after the impact time frame has worn off.

3. Wear the Proper Clothing

Even if it’s 105 degrees in the shade, it’s important to dress to protect yourself. In the woods, you want to wear boots, socks, and long sleeves, if possible. The more skin areas that are exposed, the greater the chances of getting bitten. Being fully clothed in long pants and other protective gear will not only shield you from ticks but also from many other dangerous encounters in the wooded areas.

4. Check Yourself After Long Periods Outside

If you’ve been outside for longer than a few minutes, it’s a good idea to check yourself or have someone else help you look in the areas you can’t reach. Removing that tick before it latches or stays in you for more than the 24-hour window mark helps to reduce the chance of transferring bacterium.

5. Keep Your Animals Treated

Since animals are the number one way these pesky arachnids can be brought into your home, you must treat them for fleas and ticks. The summer months can be nightmarish if you have pets, so you want to protect your furry friends and yourself by getting them preventatives.

Do You Need Professional Help With Ticks?

Usually following the tips above will ensure your landscape has fewer ticks and other crawling critters. However, if your lawn has an unusually high number of ticks regardless of what you’ve done, it’s possible that you could benefit from it being professionally sprayed.

A pest control professional can advise you on what needs to be done to protect your family during the active warm weather months. If you’re concerned and need further assistance, turning to an expert is best.

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