Tick-Borne Diseases

Lyme and other diseases carried by ticks

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that can cause fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash and, if left untreated, can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Symptoms

  • Most people who get Lyme disease get a rash around the tick bite, though it may not appear until long after the initial tick bite. At first, the rash looks like a red circle, but as the circle gets bigger, the middle changes color, so the rash looks like a bull’s-eye.
  • Some people don’t get a rash, but feel sick, like they have the flu. They could have swelling and pain in their joints and a stiff, sore neck. Their face could become numb or even paralyzed.
  • Individuals could become forgetful or have trouble paying attention.

Prevention

  • Use insect repellants containing from 10% to 35% DEET when camping and hiking
  • Wear light-colored long pants and long-sleeved clothing so that ticks are easier to spot before they attach to the skin.
  • Remove ticks promptly.
  • Avoid overgrown brush by walking in the center of the trail, and remove brush from personal residences.
This video is also available in Spanish here.
Tick Prevention: Clothing & Repellents
Tick Prevention: Removal
Tick Prevention: Collection
Tick Prevention: Laboratory Testing & Tick Tracking

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