Robyn's Nest-The Parenting Network -Tick Borne Illnesses

Other Tick Related Diseases

Babesiosis: Malaria-like infection caused by parasites in the red blood cells. Transmitted by the black-legged tick, and probably the western black-legged tick.

Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, anemia. Babesiosis is potentially fatal, especially in elderly people and those who have had their spleens removed.

Colorado Tick Fever: Viral disease that occurs in the western United States. Transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick and possibly the Pacific Coast tick.

Symptoms: High fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, and occasionally a faint rash which lasts about a week. After a 2-3 day remission, symptoms may reoccur accompanied by a drop in white blood cells. Complications include encephalitis, heart problems, and severe bleeding.

Ehrlichiosis: A bacterial infection caused by the killing of white blood cells. There are two forms of the disease in humans: human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). Transmitted by the American dog tick, brown dog tick, lone star tick, black-legged tick, and probably the western black-legged tick.

Symptoms: Fever, malaise, headache, chills, severe muscle aches or pain, vomiting, anemia, lung infection, decrease in white blood cells, and elevated liver enzymes. Some people experience neurological manifestations including seizures, meningitis, confusion, ataxia, cranial nerve palsy, and change in mental status. Delayed treatment can result in death.

Relapsing Fever: A multi-system disease, occurs primarily in the western U.S. Transmitted by soft ticks which feed at night.

Symptoms: Repeating bouts of fever and chills, headache, muscle and joint pain lasting 2-9 days, alternating days with no fever.

Powassan Encephalitis: Virus that infects the brain. Transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick, the black-legged tick can also transmitted the infection.

Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms (headache, fever, fatigue), pain behind the eyes, and muscle weakness. Neurological symptoms include light sensitivity, seizures, partial or complete paralysis, hallucinations of the sense of smell, diminished ability to communicate (aphasia), dementia, and death.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Most prevalent in the eastern U.S. Transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick, dog tick, and Pacific coast tick.

Symptoms: Flu-like aches and pain, headache, chills, confusion, light sensitivity, and high fever. A reddish-black rash (measles like) starts on the extremities and may spread to the entire body. Death can occur due to delayed treatment.

Tick Paralysis: Potentially fatal reaction to toxin secreted in the saliva of a female Rocky Mountain wood, American dog, and lone star ticks.

Symptoms: Headache, vomiting, general malaise, loss of motor function and reflexes, followed by general paralysis that starts in the lower body and spreads to the rest of the body. Respiratory failure and death can occur. In young children, death can occur in one to two days.

Tularemia (Rabbit Fever): Most cases in the south central U.S., many caused by tick-bites. Transmitted by the American dog tick, lone star tick, Rocky Mountain tick, and Pacific coast tick. Other transmitters include deerflies, infected animals, and contaminated water.

Symptoms: Spikes of severe fever, swollen lymph nodes that develop into skin ulcers, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia.

Bartonella (Cat Scratch Disease): Primarily transmitted by cat bites and scratches, new evidence has shown brown dog ticks as possible transmitters.

Symptoms: Symptoms usually begin with a small red crusted elevated mark on the scratch or bite site, which can become swollen and discolored. This is followed by flu-like symptoms, muscle/joint pain, nausea, vomiting, chills, and occasionally pain in the throat. Main indicators are swollen lymph nodes, or enlarged lymph nodes around the ears with conjunctivitis. Serious complications may include inflammation of the heart, abdominal pain, inflamed or enlarged spleen, skin eruption with open wounds, bone lesions, hepatitis, and inflammation of the retina and optic nerve.

For more information log on to www.lyme.org

Robyn's Nest Quick Link You can also do a Keyword Search

Robyn's Nest

© 1996-2005 by NYBOR, LLC All rights reserved.
All material on this Internet site is protected by U.S. and international copyrights. Only personal use of such material is permitted. By accessing this page and this site, you expressly agree and consent to the foregoing terms and conditions.
Legal Statement
Privacy Statement

Robyn's Nest ~ Lyme Disease 2003 Update