Sandbox john3

Overview

Tick-borne pathogens are able to infect humans when a tick carrying them bites a person. Different pathogens may be carried by a tick, including: bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Usually each kind of tick is associated with a specific pathogen. According to the pathogen, the patient will present different symptoms, course of the disease and a different treatment will be required. Some ticks are more common in certain areas of the United States, however populations of these may be found in other areas. Some of the most common tick-borne diseases in the United States include: Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and tularemia.

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the United States. In 2010, more than 22,500 confirmed and 7,500 probable cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other tick-borne diseases in the United States include: Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis, and Q fever.

Outdoor workers are at risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases if they work at sites with ticks. Worksites with woods, bushes, high grass, or leaf litter are likely to have more ticks. Outdoor workers in most regions of the United States should be extra careful to protect themselves in the spring, summer, and fall when ticks are most active. Ticks may be active all year in some regions with warmer weather.

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