TDC Health News

Tick Borne Illness is a risk to humans and our furry friends. Each tick species carries different potential disease-causing organisms. In Oklahoma, we have a significant number of different tick species. This includes the Black Legged Tick or Deer tick that can carry Lyme Disease. Other common Tick Borne Illnesses in Oklahoma include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Tularemia. Usually a tick needs to be attached for 48 to 72 hours to transmit disease. Symptoms will usually appear within 6 to 8 weeks after a tick bite. Symptoms may include a rash, fever, headache, muscle or joint aches, and feeling tired like you have the flu. If you think you have a tick borne illness, seek treatment from your health care provider. It's important to diagnose and treat tick borne illness as soon as possible, as some may cause permanent damage.

Most Tick Borne Illnesses, can be treated successfully with antibiotics. There are blood tests to help confirm if you have a tick borne disease. You can also do testing on the tick itself which gives you highly accurate information about what is inside your tick to help make better-informed decisions about protecting yourself from illnesses.

The rates of Lyme Disease, have tripled over the last 10 to 15 years. We have also discovered 5 new Tick Borne Illnesses in the last 10 years. To learn more about Tick Borne Illness, you can visit CDC.gov or Testmytick.com.