Tick-borne disease (patient information)

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Articles
Most recent articles on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Most cited articles on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Review articles on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Articles on Tick-borne disease (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Images of Tick-borne disease (patient information) Photos of Tick-borne disease (patient information) Podcasts & MP3s on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Videos on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Bandolier on Tick-borne disease (patient information) TRIP on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Tick-borne disease (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Clinical Trials on Tick-borne disease (patient information) at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Tick-borne disease (patient information) NICE Guidance on Tick-borne disease (patient information) NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Tick-borne disease (patient information) CDC on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Books
Books on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
News
Tick-borne disease (patient information) in the news Be alerted to news on Tick-borne disease (patient information) News trends on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Commentary
Blogs on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Definitions
Definitions of Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Discussion groups on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Patient Handouts on Tick-borne disease (patient information) Directions to Hospitals Treating Tick-borne disease (patient information) Risk calculators and risk factors for Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Tick-borne disease (patient information) Causes & Risk Factors for Tick-borne disease (patient information) Diagnostic studies for Tick-borne disease (patient information) Treatment of Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
International
Tick-borne disease (patient information) en Espanol Tick-borne disease (patient information) en Francais
Business
Tick-borne disease (patient information) in the Marketplace Patents on Tick-borne disease (patient information)
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Tick-borne disease (patient information)

Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is Tick-borne disease?

Tick-borne diseases are diseases or illnesses transmitted by ticks. Hard- and soft-bodied female ticks are believed to make a poison that can cause tick paralysis in children.

While most ticks do not carry diseases, some ticks can carry bacteria that can cause:

• Colorado tick fever
• Lyme disease
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Tularemia

What are the symptoms of Tick-borne disease?

Watch for the symptoms of tick-borne disease in the weeks following a tick bite -- muscle or joint aches, stiff neck, headache, weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and other flu-like symptoms. Watch for a red spot or rash starting at the location of the bite.

The symptoms below refer more to the problems resulting from the bite itself, not the diseases that a bite may cause. Some of the symptoms are specific to one variety of tick or another but not necessarily common to all ticks.

• Apnea (breathing stopped)
• Blisters
• Difficulty breathing
• Rash
• Severe pain at bite site (some varieties), lasting for several weeks
• Swelling at bite site (some varieties)
• Weakness
• Uncoordinated movement

How do I know I have Tick-borne disease?

A round red rash with a 2-5 mm central black area (eschar, an area of dead tissue) as shown in the photo is suggestive of a tick bite.

Tick bite with central black eschar

Prevention of Tick-borne disease

Avoid places where ticks reside. Ticks live in wooded or grassy fields.

At-home treatment

Remove the tick. Be careful not to leave the tick's head stuck in the skin.

Where to find medical care for Tick-borne disease

Directions to Hospitals Treating Tick-borne disease

What to expect at the emergency room

The symptoms will be treated as appropriate. Long-term treatment may be needed if complications develop. Preventive antibiotics are often given to people who live in areas where Lyme disease is common.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)

Most tick bites are harmless. The outcome will depend on what type of infection the tick may have been carrying and how soon appropriate treatment was begun.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002856.htm