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11 Diseases That Can Be Transmitted By Ticks

Ticks are tiny parasites that can transmit infections, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Ticks are not always deadly, and not all tick bites transmit these diseases. Tick-borne illnesses can be dangerous if they're left untreated, but symptoms typically resolve with antibiotics.

There are several types of ticks, which usually live in grassy, wooded areas. Ticks are most active during warmer months, during which they latch on and feed on humans and warm-blooded animals. Infections spread through the bites of infected ticks.

It's important to stay informed about the risk of tick bites but not panic. Preventive measures—such as using insect repellant and wearing long sleeves—can protect you against ticks. Read on to learn whether ticks are deadly to humans and other ways to protect yourself.

Ticks are vectors, meaning they're capable of carrying and transmitting disease. You can contract a tick-borne illness through a tick bite, but not all ticks are dangerous. Only certain tick species bite and infect humans. Some tick-borne illnesses can be deadly if they're left untreated, but antibiotics can typically resolve symptoms. Ticks feed on the blood of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals—including humans—throughout their various life stages. The tick can ingest germs during its blood meal if a host animal has a blood-borne infection. These germs—bacteria, viruses, or parasites—can be passed along when the tick attaches to a human. Here are several common, emerging, and rare tick-borne illnesses to know about. 1. Anaplasmosis Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This infection is found in the Northeastern and upper Midwestern states and is transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) transmits the infection on the Pacific Coast. Mild to moderate symptoms usually last one to five days and include: Chills Diarrhea Fever Loss of appetite Muscle aches Nausea or vomiting Severe headache 2. Babesiosis Babesiosis is also primarily found in the Northeastern and upper Midwestern states. It's a parasitic infection caused by Babesia microti and transmitted to humans by the blacklegged tick. Some people don't get Babesiosis symptoms, while others develop a flu-like illness. Symptoms can include: Body aches Chills Fatigue Fever Headache Loss of appetite Nausea Sweats 3. Borrelia Miyamotoi Disease Borrelia miyamotoi bacteria were first identified in Japan in 1995. They're transmitted by the blacklegged tick and Western blacklegged tick in the United States. People with this tick-borne illness may experience fever, chills, and headache. A rash is less common, affecting fewer than 10% of people. 4. Colorado Tick Fever This rare illness is caused by the Colorado tick fever virus. It's transmitted by infected Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni). People living in or visiting the western United States at 4,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level may be at risk of contracting Colorado tick fever. Common symptoms include: Body aches Chills Fatigue Fever Headache 5. Ehrlichiosis The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is responsible for transmitting different species of Ehrlichia bacteria. Ehrlichiosis primarily affects people in the Southeastern and South Central states. Illness can be relatively mild for some people and severe for others. One species of bacteria, E. Chaffeensis, can cause fatal disease if it's left untreated. 6. Lyme Disease Lyme disease gets its name from the town in Connecticut where it was first described. It's a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and, rarely, Borrelia mayonii. Blacklegged ticks transmit the disease in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and North Central states. Western blacklegged ticks spread the disease in the Pacific Coast states. Lyme disease can produce a circular rash that expands over time and often resembles a bull's eye. Fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain are just a few of the early symptoms. 7. Powassan Virus Disease Powassan virus is rare but serious. It can cause swelling of the brain and the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Powassan virus can be transmitted quickly, usually in a matter of minutes. Blacklegged ticks, squirrel ticks, and groundhog ticks have all been known to spread the Powassan virus. This disease has primarily been reported in the Northeastern and Great Lakes regions of the United States. 8. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) There are other types of spotted fevers, which are caused by a type of bacteria called Rickettsia. The most common and serious of the spotted fevers is RMSF. RMSF is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. This tick-borne illness often produces a dot-like or splotchy rash. It can be fatal if left untreated. RMSF can be transmitted by the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in the Eastern, Central, and Western states. The Rocky Mountain wood tick spreads bacteria in the Rocky Mountain states, and the Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) at the U.S.-Mexican border. 9. Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) can produce a red, bull's-eye rash and other symptoms like Lyme disease. STARI is transmitted by lone star ticks, but the exact cause is unknown. These ticks live from Central Texas and Oklahoma eastward through Southern states and along the Atlantic Coast, all the way up to Maine. 10. Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) Soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros transmit certain Borrelia bacteria that cause tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF). This infection, which triggers a high and often recurring fever, is found primarily in the Western states. About 20 cases of TBRF are reported each year in the United States, making it pretty rare. 11. Tularemia There are a number of ways humans can contract tularemia. This bacterial infection is caused by Francisella tularensis. Bites by a dog tick, wood tick, or lone star tick can put you at risk, as can handling sick or dead animals with the infection. Cases of tularemia have been reported in all states aside from Hawaii. This tick-borne illness is most common in the South Central states, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of Massachusetts. Symptoms depend on how the infection enters a person's body. You might develop a skin ulcer, fever, or swollen glands. Many tick bites aren't dangerous, but it's still important to take precautions against them. Ways to prevent tick bites include: Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after being outside. Opt for light-colored clothing, which makes it easier to see ticks. Remove your clothing and shower right away after being outside. Steer clear of brushy, grassy, or wooded areas during warmer months. Treat your clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin. Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent, such as DEET or picaridin. Wash and dry your clothing at high temperatures. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck the hem of your pants into your socks, and tuck the hem of your shirt into your pants. It's important to see a healthcare provider right away if you think you've been bitten by a tick and develop the following symptoms within several weeks: Body aches and pain Chills Fever Rash A healthcare provider can administer several tests, including blood and urine tests or imaging tests, to diagnose tick-borne illnesses. Treatment might depend on the type of infection you have, but it often involves antibiotics. The earlier you start treatment, the less likely it is you'll develop complications. Ticks can cause several other illnesses in addition to Lyme disease, but most tick bites aren't dangerous. These illnesses can be mild for some but severe or even fatal for others. It's important to see a healthcare provider right away if you think you've been bitten by a tick and develop symptoms.  Consider this another reason to protect yourself from tick bites. Preventative measures—such as using insect repellant and wearing long sleeves—can protect you against ticks. 

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Human Case Of New Tick-borne Illness Found In Connecticut

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WWLP) – The first human case of a new tick disease in the Northeast has now been found in Connecticut.

The disease carried by Gulf Coast ticks is called Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis. A woman in northern Fairfield County was reportedly infected late last year. Pictures show the bite wound on the back of the neck and spots found on the patient's leg.

EEE risk levels lowered across the state

Researchers say the symptoms are similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever which is spots all over the body, but the Gulf Coast disease is milder. Ticks usually stay alive until the first hard frost of the season.

Average dates of first frost continues to get later

Signs and symptoms of Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis

An eschar develops, which is a scab-like covering over wounds.

Followed by a fever, muscle pain, headache, and rash. The rash is often described as maculopapular or vesicular eruptions on the trunk and extremities.

Regional lymphadenopathy is detected in about 25% of patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms are rare.

Patients often develop mildly elevated levels of hepatic transaminases, mild leukopenia, and less frequently mild thrombocytopenia.

Gulf Coast Ticks in 2024

Range of the Gulf Coast Tick (Courtesy: Yale School of Public Health)

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First Human Case Of Tick-Borne Illness Spotted In Connecticut

The disease rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, which is carried by the Gulf Coast tick, was recently discovered in someone in Connecticut, according to a report from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. 

Authorities did not say where in the state the case was detected. 

The disease is similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever but with milder symptoms, the report said. The tick-borne illness is most commonly found in the Southeast. 

Experts believe warming weather caused by climate change has allowed the tick that carries rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis to survive in the North, said Dr. Goudarz Molaei, a research scientist and medical entomologist who also directs the CAES Passive Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance Program. 

"Rising global temperatures, ecological changes, reforestation, and increases in commerce and travel are important underlying factors influencing the rate and extent of range expansion of ticks and associated pathogens," the researcher said in a news release. "It is anticipated that warming temperatures related to climate change may lead to the continued range expansion and abundance of several tick species, increasing their importance as emerging threats to humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife."

More populations of the Gulf Coast tick have been spotted in the Northeast in recent years. 

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