Common Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDS)

Co-Infections and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

While Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness, ticks may carry multiple infectious organisms (co-infections) along with Lyme bacteria. Here are some common tick-borne diseases. Future research may uncover additional co-infections.

BABESIOSIS – A malaria-like, parasitic infection of red blood cells. Most cases are caused by the parasite Babesia microti, though occasionally caused by other strains of Babesia. Symptoms can be mild to life threatening, with a high fever, sweats, nausea, headaches and fatigue.

ANAPLASMOSIS – Caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, previously known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and more recently called human  granulocytic anaplasmosis  (HGA). One to two weeks after a bite, watch for fever, headache, chills, abdominal pain and muscle aches.

EHRLICHIOSIS - Rickettsial infections (HME and HGE forms) of white blood cells. A rash may occur. Severe illness may have neurologic complications. Delayed treatment can result in death.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER – Caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, it is transmitted by the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick and brown dog tick. It can cause a reddish-to-black rash resembling measles, though in some patients a rash never develops. It can be a severe or even fatal illness if not treated in the first few days of symptoms.

BORRELIA MIYAMOTOI – One of the newer tick-borne infections, it is distantly related to the bacterium that cause Lyme disease. Patients with this infection are most likely to have relapsing fever, chills, headache, fatigue, body and joint pain. Left untreated, it can morph into a disease that causes cardiac, neurologic and arthritic problems.

POWASSAN ENCEPHALITIS – Viral brain infection causing seizures, aphasia, muscle weakness, dementia and death. No effective treatment and onset of illness is fairly rapid.

COLORADO TICK FEVER – Viral disease characterized by a high fever and sometimes a faint rash. After a 2-3 day remission, symptoms recur, accompanied by a drop in white blood cells. Complications may include encephalitis, heart problems and severe bleeding.

HEARTLAND VIRUS – Studies suggest that the Heartland virus, first identified in Missouri, may be spread through the bite of an infected Lone Star tick. To date, the virus has been found in Missouri, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Symptoms include easy bruising, diarrhea, fever, headaches, fatigue, appetite loss and muscle pain. There are no known treatments for it.

BOURBON VIRUS –  An extremely rare new virus reported in two people in Kansas and Oklahoma. The Oklahoma patient made a full recovery, while the first and only other case in Bourbon, Kansas was deadly. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, rash, muscle and joint pain.

RELAPSING FEVER – Multi-system bacterial infection with symptoms similar to Lyme disease. Characterized by repeating bouts of fever lasting 2-9 days, alternating with periods of no fever.

TULAREMIA – A bacterial infection (sometimes called rabbit fever), the hallmark of which is the development of an ulcer at the site of infection. The illness can manifest in various symptom complexes, including spiking fevers, inflamed lymph nodes and eyes, pneumonia and weight loss.

SOUTHERN TICK-ASSOCIATED RASH ILLNESS (STARI) – Also known as Masters disease, this disease is transmitted by the Lone Star tick. Early STARI symptoms are similar to the symptoms of early Lyme disease, including a circular rash. The rash may be accompanied by fatigue, headache, fever and joint pains

TICK PARALYSIS – Loss of motor function and increasing paralysis caused by a toxic reaction to saliva from female ticks.