Tick-derived diseases including Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis

Tick-derived diseases are those that humans contract from infection by pathogens that spread through tick bites. Pathogens such as bacteria, protozoa, and viruses cause these tick-derived diseases.

Babesiosis is malaria-like tick-borne illness causes by babesis microti microscopic parasites after infecting the red blood cells. They spread through ticks such as Ixodes scapularis that bite and spread the infection when they are nymph stage. These ticks are prevalent in certain parts of the USA, especially during the warm season. Babesiosis infects human beings because they turn to opportunistic hosts of the parasite after bites by a nymph or adult sick. Most of the people with Babesia do not show any symptoms, but there is an effective treatment if they occur. Simple steps to reduce exposures to ticks help to prevent Babesiosis.

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial illness that ticks transmit by spreading Ehrlichia chaffeensis that causes flu-like symptoms. You can identify Ehrlichiosis by signs and symptoms that range from mild to severe body aches and fever. They usually appear with one or two weeks after a tick bite.

Ehrlichiosis usually attacks the body after a bite by an infected tick. The tick bite creates an opening for bacteria to enter the skin and find a way in the bloodstream. Bacteria only transmit the disease if a tick attaches and feeds from the surface for at least a day. Ticks with a swollen appearance could have fed long enough to transmit the bacteria. Removing ticks soon after noticing them can help to prevent infection. Ehrlichiosis presence in the bloodstream increases chances of transmission through blood transfusion, direct contact with a slaughtered infected animal or from a mother to fetus.

Symptoms are closely similar to those of anaplasmosis, another tick-borne although they occur as a result of different microorganisms. Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis improve within days if treatment with the appropriate antibiotics takes place soon after noticing the signs.

Other Common Tick-Derived Diseases

RMSF is a severe tick bite disease that causes severe symptoms and long-term health problems in the absence of early treatment. Severe symptoms such as flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, headache, stomach pain and vomiting appear two days after a tick bite. Some people get red rash spots on the wrists and ankles. Doctors treat the infection with antibiotics, but severe cases require hospitalization of the patient.

Powassan is a virus named after a Canadian town where researchers first found it existence. It is not widespread like other diseases that occur from tick bites and has only affected tens of people mostly in Great Lakes areas. Powassan attacks the brain and surrounding tissues causing inflammation. Its symptoms include headaches, vomiting, and fever. Some patients get seizures, confusion, and loss of coordination. They can occur any time from one week to a month after the tick bite. It is a severe infection that can cause permanent nerve damage.

Doctors believe that tick paralysis has no relation with a virus or bacteria that ticks carry but occur due to poison in the saliva of the tick. It causes the muscles to slacken as it spread throughout the body. It is possible to confuse it with other illnesses because muscle weaknesses are a common symptom. Tick paralysis clears up after removal of the tick that is biting and releasing the poisonous saliva.

Ticks are dangerous, and it is essential to keep away from them to avoid contracting tick-derived diseases.