Disease Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms and Treatments

Lyme Disease
Transmitted by: Deer Tick

Lyme Disease is transmitted by the Deer Tick (Image) in the northeastern U.S. and upper Midwestern U.S. and the western blacklegged tick (Image) along the Pacific coast.

Identification
3-30 days post-tick bite:

Red, expanding rash called erythema migrans (EM)

Rash occurs in approximately 70-80% of infected persons1 and begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3-30 days (average is about 7 days).
Rash gradually expands over a period of several days, and can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) across. Parts of the rash may clear as it enlarges, resulting in a “bull's-eye” appearance.
Rash usually feels warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful.
EM lesions may appear on any area of the body.
More Identification Information from the Centers for Disease Control

Symptoms
Fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes
More Symptom Information from the Centers for Disease Control

Treatment
Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually recover rapidly and completely. Antibiotics commonly used for oral treatment include doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Patients with certain neurological or cardiac forms of illness may require intravenous treatment with drugs such as ceftriaxone or penicillin. For detailed recommendations on treatment, consult the 2006 Guidelines for treatment developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

More Treatment Information from the Centers for Disease Control
 

Babesiosis
Transmitted by: Deer Tick

Babesiosis transmitted by the Deer Tick (Image) and is found primarily in the eastern U.S.

Identification and Symptoms
Many people who are infected with Babesia microti feel fine and do not have any symptoms. Some people develop nonspecific flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue.
Because Babesia parasites infect and destroy red blood cells, babesiosis can cause a special type of anemia called hemolytic anemia. This type of anemia can lead to jaundice and dark urine.

Babesiosis can be a severe, life-threatening disease.
More Identification Information from the Centers for Disease Control

Treatment
Before considering treatment, the first step is to make sure the diagnosis is correct.

Effective treatments are available, and most people who are infected with Babesia microti respond well. People who do not have any symptoms or signs of babesiosis usually do not need to be treated.
For more information, patients should consult with their health care provider.

More Treatment Information from the Centers for Disease Control

Tularemia
Transmitted by: Dog Tick

Tularemia is transmitted to humans by the Dog Tick (Image), the wood tick (Image), and the lone star tick (Image). Tularemia occurs throughout the U.S.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of tularemia vary depending on how the bacteria enters the body. Illness ranges from mild to life-threatening. All forms are accompanied by fever, which can be as high as 104 °F.

Treatment
Tularemia can be difficult to diagnose. It is a rare disease, and the symptoms can be mistaken for other more common illnesses. For this reason, it is important to share with your health care provider any likely exposures, such as tick and deer fly bites, or contact with sick or dead animals. Blood tests and cultures can help confirm the diagnosis. Antibiotics used to treat tularemia include streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin. Treatment usually lasts 10 to 21 days depending on the stage of illness and the medication used. Although symptoms may last for several weeks, most patients completely recover. More Information on CDC site >

Anaplasmosis
Transmitted by: Deer Tick

Anaplasmosis is transmitted to humans by tick bites primarily from the Deer Tick (Image) in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S. and the western blacklegged tick (Image) along the Pacific coast.

Symptoms
The first symptoms of anaplasmosis typically begin within 1-2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick. A tick bite is usually painless, and some patients who develop anaplasmosis do not remember being bitten. The following is a list of symptoms commonly seen with this disease. However, it is important to note that few people with the disease will develop all symptoms, and the number and combination of symptoms varies greatly from person to person.

Fever, Headache, Muscle pain, Malaise, Chills, Nausea / Abdominal pain, Cough, Confusion, Rash (rare with anaplasmosis)

Treatment
Doxycycline is the first line treatment for adults and children of all ages and should be initiated immediately whenever anaplasmosis is suspected.

Use of antibiotics other than doxycycline or other tetracyclines has been associated with a higher risk of fatal outcome for some rickettsial infections. Doxycycline is most effective at preventing severe complications from developing if it is started early in the course of disease. Therefore, treatment must be based on clinical suspicion alone and should always begin before laboratory results return. More Information on the CDC site >

Ehrlichiosis
Transmitted by: Lone Star Tick

Ehrlichiosis is the general name used to describe several bacterial diseases that affect animals and humans. Human ehrlichiosisis a disease caused by at least three different ehrlichial species in the United States: Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and a third Ehrlichia species provisionally called Ehrlichia muris-like (EML). Ehrlichiae are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is the primary vector of both Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in the United States.

Symptoms
The following is a list of symptoms commonly seen with this disease, however, it is important to note that the combination of symptoms varies greatly from person to person.
Fever, Headache, Chills, Malaise, Muscle pain, Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea, Confusion, Conjunctival injection (red eyes), Rash (in up to 60% of children, less than 30% of adults)
Ehrlichiosis is a serious illness that can be fatal if not treated correctly, even in previously healthy people.  Severe clinical presentations may include difficulty breathing, or bleeding disorders.

Treatment
Doxycycline is the first line treatment for adults and children of all ages and should be initiated immediately whenever ehrlichiosis is suspected.

Use of antibiotics other than doxycycline and other tetracyclines is associated with a higher risk of fatal outcome for some rickettsial infections. Doxycycline is most effective at preventing severe complications from developing if it is started early in the course of disease. Therefore, treatment must be based on clinical suspicion alone and should always begin before laboratory results return.

If the patient is treated within the first 5 days of the disease, fever generally subsides within 24-72 hours.  In fact, failure to respond to doxycycline suggests that the patient’s condition might not be due to ehrlichiosis.
More Information on the CDC Site >

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Transmitted by: Dog Tick

RMSF is transmitted by the American Dog Tick (Image), Rocky Mountain wood tick (Image), and the brown dog tick (Image) in the U.S.