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Ticks can cause harm to humans and animals due to their blood feeding activities and because they can transmit many different bacterial infections. If you contract a tick-borne disease, recognize the symptoms, and promptly seek medical assistance, these diseases can almost always be successfully treated. Symptoms for all tick borne disorders tend to include flu-like symptoms-fever, malaise, headache, and aches & pains of the joints. If you don't recognize the symptoms and seek treatment, these diseases can be serious or even fatal.
Here are some of the common diseases transmitted by ticks:
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a kind of bacteria called a spirochete. The disease is carried by deer ticks and western black-legged ticks. These ticks can spread the disease to animals and humans through tick bites. These ticks are about the size of a sesame seed.Lyme disease is most common in the northeastern and Midwestern states. Lyme disease is also found in other parts of the United States, as well as in several other countries. Twenty to forty percent of deer ticks in NJ are infected with Lyme's Disease. The white footed mouse is the primary host of the Lyme bacteria. One sign of Lyme disease is a rash, which may appear 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. This rash usually starts at the site of the tick bite. It may begin as a small red spot and grow larger creating a "bull's eye" or ring appearance, but this is not always the case. Some people with Lyme disease have many red spots. The rash may burn, hurt or itch, or you may not feel it. Other symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, headaches, stiff neck, fatigue, muscle aches and joint pain, irregular or slow heartbeat, or Bell's palsy. If Lyme disease isn't treated, it can spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms of late Lyme disease include arthritis (painful, swollen joints) and nervous system problems. The symptoms of the nervous system disorder caused by late Lyme disease may include trouble concentrating, loss of memory, muscle weakness, and tingling and numbness in the arms and legs.
Steps for Proper Tick Removal - GRASP tick as close to skin as possible, using tweezers.
- PULL gently with a steady, backward pressure-be patient!
- WASH area with soap, water, and topical antiseptic.
Remember: Incorrect removal of an attached tick can increase your risk for Lyme Disease. Never burn, smother or crush an attached tick!
Lyme Disease and the Deer Tick Life Cycle
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Disease free deer tick EGGS hatch into LARVAE. (Spring) -
Deer tick LARVAE feed on rodents (mainly the white footed mouse and chipmunk), other small mammals and birds. (July - August) -
Infected rodents pass the Lyme Disease bacteria to the
deer tick LARVAE. Generally, 25% of ticks become infected from the white footed mouse or chipmunk. (July - August) -
Lyme Disease-infected deer tick NYMPHS feed on humans
and pets, as well as rodents and deer. Because of their coloring and small size, nymphs easily escape detection. This is when humans are most likely to become infected with Lyme
Disease. (Late May - July) -
Deer tick ADULTS mainly feed on deer and other large mammals. Because the adult ticks are more easily seen, and since it takes 36 hours before the disease can be transmitted,
these ticks are usually detected before they can spread the disease. Therefore, they do not pose as big a threat in transmitting Lyme Disease as the nymphs do. After feeding,
they drop for the deer to lay their eggs. (Fall - Spring)
( ) Peak feeding time Other Tick Borne Diseases Babesiosis
Infection of the red blood cells. High fever and fatigue. More sever in people with their spleen removed. Babesiosis is typically spread by the bite of the "Black-Legged" (Deer) tick & the Western Black Legged tick. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
A reddish-to-black rash resembling measles. Diagnosis and treatment must be made immediately or death can occur. This disease is typically spread by the bite of the American Dog tick, the Rocky Mountain Wood tick, and the Pacific Coast tick.
Ehrlichiosis
HME/HGE- infection of white blood cells. A rash may occur. Neurologic complications can occur with more severe disease. Delayed treatment can be deadly. Erlichiosis is generally contracted by the Lone Star Tick.
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