What to Know About Lyme Disease and Tick-Born Illnesses
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Spending time outdoors is one of the gifts of summer, but increased time in the great outdoors does come with a few risks you need to do your best to protect against. You probably know to put on sunscreen, stay hydrated and keep cool, but are you familiar with protecting against tick-born illnesses like Lyme disease?
The illness is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by infected blacklegged ticks. It can cause serious health issues if not promptly treated. Lyme disease typically starts with flu-like symptoms, but the disease can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
As of 2023, Lyme disease had been reported in nearly every county in the state, according to the State of Michigan. Peak transmission is May through August and most often happens through nymphal blacklegged ticks, which are about the size of poppy seeds and harder to see than adults. Not all ticks carry the pathogen, but both adult and nymphal ticks can transmit it.
Ticks are widespread and commonly found in grasses, shrubs and forests.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint aches
- Erythema migrans (EM) rash at the site of the bite, often a bullseye shaped that expands
- Facial palsy or drooping on one or both sides of the face
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness or shortness of breath
- Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
Other Tick-Born Illnesses
While Lyme disease is the most common illness from ticks, it’s not the only one found in Michigan.
Typical symptoms of various tick-born illnesses include:
- Possible rash
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Nausea
- Headache
Anaplasmosis: This disease, caused by bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is the second most common tick-borne disease in Michigan, according to the MDHHS. Like other illnesses, it can be serious and requires treatment.
Babesiosis: This is a disease carried by blacklegged ticks caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells. Some people with the disease can be asymptomatic, but it can be life-threatening for people with serious health conditions, according to the MDHHS.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This bacterial disease, transmitted by the American Dog Tick, is rare in Michigan. It is serious but treatable when caught early, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Preventing tick-born illnesses
The best way to manage tick-born illnesses is prevention. When you are outside, take these steps to prevent tick bites:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use EPA-approved insect-repellants on your skin and clothing.
- Perform regular tick checks.
- Shower after coming inside.
- Check pets for ticks and use preventative measures for them.
If you do find a tick, remove it with tweezers as soon as possible. You can save the tick in a plastic bag for testing to see if it carries any pathogens your doctor may look for, according to Harvard Health.
If you receive a tick bite or display any of the symptoms, see your health care provider. Your physician may order a blood test to determine whether you have Lyme or another tick-born disease. When caught early, most diseases are treatable with a course of antibiotics.
Image: Getty Images
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