Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks are pesky little threats to you and your family's health. Ticks bites can cause anything from minor swelling and redness to, in extreme cases, death. Serious illnesses including Lyme disease, erlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and babesiosis can occur as a result of tick bites.

Most ticks are small parasites that feed on warm-blooded mammals. Ticks are not insects. They are more closely related to the spider, mite and scorpion. Ticks are usually a shade of brown and no larger than 1/8 to 1/2 of an inch in length. They are in their peak season in the spring, but can be found during any season in humid, coastal, wooded or bushy areas.

Protect yourself Here are some ways to discourage ticks.

Tick-borne illnesses include:

• Babesiosis
• Erlichiosis
• Lyme Disease
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Tularemia