Tick-Borne Viral Illnesses

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

In addition to the bacterial diseases caused by tick bites, it's probably a good idea to consider the viruses that tick bites can spread as well.  Though generally not so serious as the bacterial tick-borne diseases, the viral diseases ticks transmit to us may also cause substantial harm, and even death.  However, in a collapsed society without advanced medical care and lab facilities available, these viral tick-borne diseases are going to be particularly difficult to identify and treat.  In most cases, treatment is going to be supportive only and often a patient will never know what it was that made him sick. 

Colorado Tick Fever
This rare viral disease transmitted by the bites of infected Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni) cannot be transmitted from person to person (except in the case of a blood transfusion).  These ticks are only found in the Rocky Mountains of North America at elevations of 4,000 to 10,000 and are most active March through August.  Onset of symptoms from time of tick bite ranges from one to fourteen days.  The most common symptoms are fever, headache, chills, fatigue, body aches, and exhaustion.  Some patients may experience sore throat, stomachache, vomiting, a rash, or a stiff neck.  And like some other tick-borne illnesses, the patient may experience several days of illness, followed by a recovery period, and then followed again by more fever and disease. 

Heartland Virus Infection
This viral disease afflicts people mainly in Missouri and Tennessee between the months of May and September.  It is believed to be caused by the bites of lone star ticks.  The symptoms are very similar to another tick-borne disease, ehrlichiosis, and include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, and various stomach problems.  There are no specific medications for treating this disease.  Most patients recover completely within a few days.  Supportive care for reducing pain and fever and increasing fluid intake may be desired. 

Powassan Viral Disease and Powassan Encephalitis 
This is a serious viral disease spread by blacklegged (Ixodes scapularis) or groundhog (Ixodes cookei) ticks.  Fortunately, there is no person to person transmission of this disease.  Most cases of this disease occur in the northeastern US and Great Lakes areas from April through October.  The incubation period ranges from one week to one month.  More serious symptoms include dementia, muscle weakness, seizures, and even death.  As there is no medicine to treat this disease, most treatment is supportive and may include hospitalization and IV fluids.  

Bourbon Virus
This very rare disease causes joint and muscle pain, rashes, fever, and fatigue.  It was first identified in Bourbon County, Kansas, and since then other cases have been found in Missouri and Oklahoma. 


 Links to related posts:
Tick-Borne Bacterial Illnesses
Preventing Tick Bites
DIY Tick Tubes
Permethrin 

For further reading:
http://myhousepests.com/ticks/viral-tick-disease.html
https://insectcop.net/most-common-tick-borne-diseases-in-humans/
https://lymediseaseassociation.org/other-tick-borne-diseases/
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/tick-borne/default.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick-borne_disease
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html
https://www.foxnews.com/health/lone-star-tick-wisconsin-red-meat-allergy