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Aug 08, 2023

These Are Signs That a Tick Is Making You Sick

August 1, 2023 Do you love spending time outdoors at this time of year? If so, you’re in good company – and some not-so-good company, too. Ticks are most active during the warmer months of the year,

August 1, 2023

Do you love spending time outdoors at this time of year? If so, you’re in good company – and some not-so-good company, too. Ticks are most active during the warmer months of the year, and depending on where you live, you may come in contact with ticks that can make you sick.

Here are answers to some common questions about ticks, including where you’ll find them, what types of illnesses they may cause, and how you can protect yourself.

Ticks tend to live in grassy, wooded or brush-filled areas. They like shade and moisture. Ticks are most commonly found in the Northeast and in New England, but different types of ticks can be found in many other parts of the country as well.

There are many different species of ticks but only some transmit bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you sick. Some diseases transmitted by ticks can be very serious, though, so if you feel sick after you are bitten by a tick, see a doctor right away. Even if you don’t remember getting bitten but have been in areas where ticks commonly live, get checked by a doctor if you exhibit signs of a tick-borne illness.

The most common disease associated with ticks is Lyme disease, but it’s not the only one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ticks in the U.S. may transmit anaplasmosis, babesiosis, borrelia mayonii, borrelia miyamotoi, bourbon virus, Colorado tick fever, ehrlichiosis, heartland virus, powassan disease, rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, southern tick-associated rash illness, tickborne relapsing fever, tularemia and 364D rickettsiosis. These illnesses are transmitted by different types of ticks and may only be found in specific regions of the country.

Although different illnesses transmitted by ticks each have their own set of symptoms, many have similar symptoms. If you develop any of these symptoms after getting bitten by a tick, see a doctor:

The best way to avoid getting a tick-borne illness is to take steps to protect yourself from getting bitten by a tick.

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Date Last Reviewed: June 16, 2023

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD

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