Ticks

The USA has five main tick borne diseases, the table below explains each. Beware, it's easy to pick up ticks when hiking.
It's even possible to get deer tick trifecta, ie, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease, at the same time. If you get a summertime flu, be sure to check with a doctor, might be no flu, but a tick transmitted disease.
To help prevent ticks getting on you, use repellants containing DEET. Sulfer powder on your clothing also helps. To help spot ticks, wear light-colored clothing, tuck shirts into pants, tuck pants into socks. Always examin' your nooks and crannies for ticks! Remove embedded ones immediately, by gently pulling upward. If possible, take tick to a hospital for testing.

Disease Definition Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Region
Babesiosis Malaria-like illness caused by Babesia parasites transmitted by ticks. Often none, but can have loss of appetite, dark urine. Flu-like symptoms may follow. Parasite may be visible under microscope. Lab tests for liver and blood problems. Quinine and clindamycin. Some recover without treatment. Mainly northeastern US coast, some strains in West and Midwest.

Colorado Tick Fever Viral infection transmitted by Rocky Mtn wood ticks and carried by small mammals. Cycle of chills, fever, headaches, muscle aches, abdominal pain, sensitivity to light. Blood tests can identify antibodies to the virus. No cure. Symptoms are treated per person. Most eventually recover. Mountainous areas in western states.

Ehrlichiosis Viral infection transmitted by Deer ticks. There's 2 types HME AND HGE, the latter being most common. Flu like symptoms, high fever and severe headache. Blood tests can identify antibodies to the virus. Treated with Doxycycline Found everywhere, mainly in eastern, southeastern, central states.

Lyme Disease Ticks infected by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, carried on deer, mice, other mammals. Rash around bite, fever, fatigue, headache, body aches. Can also cause stiff neck, meningitis, facial paralysis. Late stage: Arthritis, heart and neurologic disorders. Blood tests, physcial exam. Oral antibiotics if caught early. For advanced cases, antibiotic therapy targeted to symptoms. Two vaccines, LymeRix and ImuLyme, now available. Northeastern, mid Atlantic, Midwestern, West Coast states.

Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever Transmited by wood or dog ticks infected with Rickettsia rickettsiae bacteria. Attacks blood vessels, if untreated can be fatal. Flu like, a pink rash starts on ankles and wrists, then spreads. Late stage: Stomach pain, diarrhea, respiratory failure, heart, kidney and neurologic problems. Evaluation of clinical symptoms. Treatment cannot wait. Prompt use of doxycycline antibiotic. Found everywhere, mainly in eastern, southeastern, central states.

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Disease	Definition	Symptoms	Diagnosis	Treatment	Region
Babesiosis	Malaria-like illness caused by Babesia parasites transmitted by ticks.	Often none, but can have loss of appetite, dark urine. Flu-like symptoms may follow.	Parasite may be visible under microscope. Lab tests for liver and blood problems.	Quinine and clindamycin. Some recover without treatment.	Mainly northeastern US coast, some strains in West and Midwest.
Colorado Tick Fever	Viral infection transmitted by Rocky Mtn wood ticks and carried by small mammals.	Cycle of chills, fever, headaches, muscle aches, abdominal pain, sensitivity to light.	Blood tests can identify antibodies to the virus.	No cure. Symptoms are treated per person. Most eventually recover.	Mountainous areas in western states.
Ehrlichiosis	Viral infection transmitted by Deer ticks. There's 2 types HME AND HGE, the latter being most common.	Flu like symptoms, high fever and severe headache.	Blood tests can identify antibodies to the virus.	Treated with Doxycycline	Found everywhere, mainly in eastern, southeastern, central states.
Lyme Disease	Ticks infected by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, carried on deer, mice, other mammals.	Rash around bite, fever, fatigue, headache, body aches. Can also cause stiff neck, meningitis, facial paralysis. Late stage: Arthritis, heart and neurologic disorders.	Blood tests, physcial exam.	Oral antibiotics if caught early. For advanced cases, antibiotic therapy targeted to symptoms. Two vaccines, LymeRix and ImuLyme, now available.	Northeastern, mid Atlantic, Midwestern, West Coast states.
Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever	Transmited by wood or dog ticks infected with Rickettsia rickettsiae bacteria. Attacks blood vessels, if untreated can be fatal.	Flu like, a pink rash starts on ankles and wrists, then spreads. Late stage: Stomach pain, diarrhea, respiratory failure, heart, kidney and neurologic problems.	Evaluation of clinical symptoms. Treatment cannot wait.	Prompt use of doxycycline antibiotic.	Found everywhere, mainly in eastern, southeastern, central states.

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