Ticks can transmit serious diseases, so look out for these symptoms.
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 encounter a species that can make you sick.
“Though most will not make you sick, ticks should be taken seriously,” said Deborah L. Goldsmith, MD, a specialist in infectious disease and wound care at Maury Regional Medical Center. “Some transmit diseases that can progress rapidly and cause serious and sometimes life-threatening illness if left unchecked.”
Where do ticks live?
Ticks tend to live in grassy, wooded or brush-filled areas. They like shade and moisture. According to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), there are six key species of ticks living in Tennessee: the American dog tick (also called a wood tick), Lone Star tick, Asian long-horned tick, black-legged tick (also called a deer tick), brown dog tick, and, rarely, the Gulf Coast tick.
Can all ticks make you sick?
There are many different species of ticks, but only some transmit bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you sick. Not every “bad” tick can or will make you sick, and generally a tick needs to bite and be attached over 24 hours to make you ill. 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.
What kinds of illnesses do ticks transmit?
The most common diseases associated with ticks in Middle Tennessee are Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. Less commonly, Middle Tennessee ticks can spread tularemia, Heartland virus, STARI (Southern tick associated rash illness) and alpha-gal syndrome. Luckily, there is minimal evidence of Lyme disease being transmitted in our area.
“Many of the diseases carried by ticks have similar symptoms, such as fever, headache, a rash, nausea or vomiting, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and (very rarely) paralysis,” Dr. Goldsmith said. “If you start experiencing these symptoms after a known tick bite, contact your physician.”
How can you protect yourself from getting sick from a tick?
The best way to avoid getting a tick-borne illness is to take steps to protect yourself from getting bitten in the first place, such as:
- Take precautions if you are in locations where ticks are commonly found. Avoid wooded, grassy and brushy areas.
- Wear long pants and closed shoes, with your pants tucked into your socks. Also, wear long-sleeved shirts.
- Treat your clothing, shoes and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
- Spray your skin with insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone.
- Check your clothing and gear for ticks. Tumble dry clothing on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks you may have missed. Also, check pets carefully.
- Take a shower and do a tick check. Carefully look at every part of your body, using a mirror if necessary. Keep in mind that ticks can be hard to spot and may be hiding in places that are not easy to see such as behind your ears, in your hair, under your arms or between your legs.
- The faster you remove a tick, the less likely you are to become sick. If a tick has bitten you, use tweezers to grasp the tick firmly by its head near your skin and pull it straight out with a slow and steady motion. Make sure you don’t leave the head embedded in the skin.
Deborah L. Goldsmith, MD, is a specialist in infectious disease and wound care at Maury Regional Medical Center.
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Date Last Reviewed: June 16, 2023
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