Preventing Tick-borne Illnesses
6/1/2026
POPLAR BLUFF, MO, June 1, 2026 - As warmer weather approaches, it’s natural to spend more time outdoors. If you’re planning activities outside with friends or family, remember that the insects you encounter may not only spoil your picnic or hike, but may also harm your health.
Ticks, one of the main offenders we come into contact with during spring and summer– carry a variety of bacteria, viruses and diseases. A tick bite can cause an illness that ranges from a mild infection to a serious health emergency.
Ticks are most active during the warmer months, from April to September each year, and tend to gather in wooded or bushy areas, with tall grass or other vegetation, logs or leaf litter – such as hiking trails, forest areas, and in your own back yard. Ticks can also live on the coats of your dog or cat, especially if they are an outdoor pet.
Common tick-related diseases
Two of the most common tick-borne diseases are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Others include babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STAR1), Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and tularemia.
The type of illness contracted from a tick bite depends on the type of tick and the geographical area where you live. Certain types of ticks, and the bacteria they carry, are more common to specific areas of the country. While each disease has unique characteristics, all tick-borne illnesses produce similar, flu-like symptoms: fever, body aches, and chills.
Tick-borne illnesses can produce other symptoms in addition to – or instead of – the telltale circular rash and fever. Other symptoms to look for include:
- Body/muscle aches
- Lymph node swelling
- Small, non-itchy, pink rash on arms, ankles, trunk
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Rash
- Stiff neck
- Facial paralysis
“If identified early, tick-borne diseases can be treated by your provider with antibiotics. However, prompt treatment is important. Tick-borne diseases in more advanced stages can be more difficult to treat, and some can cause arthritis, muscle and joint pain, or fatigue for an extended period of time, as well as serious health complications,” said Jamie Morse, NP-C, a primary care provider at Poplar Bluff Medical Clinic.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2010, the CDC received reports of more than 22,500 confirmed and 7,500 probable cases of Lyme disease. Lyme disease begins with a tender red bump that can grow into a bull’s-eye-shaped rash around the tick bite. Untreated, Lyme disease can produce memory loss, mood changes, limb weakness, joint pain, heart rhythm problems, neurological damage, and meningitis. The bacteria related to Lyme disease enters the blood stream after the tick has been attached to the skin for 36 to 48 hours.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The most severe tick-borne illness in the U.S. is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Though it also produces flu-like symptoms, fever and a rash, it is difficult to identify through lab tests. Symptoms develop over five to 10 days, and can be severe, often requiring hospitalization. Patients can experience nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and muscle pain in the early stages of disease. If not treated promptly, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause paralysis of the lower limbs, hearing loss, loss of bladder control, and language disorders. Untreated, the disease can be fatal.
If you find a tick on your body, or suspect you’ve been bitten, or you have spent time in areas populated by ticks and develop flu-like symptoms or a rash, seek medical help immediately. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the onset of a tick-borne illness, lessen the severity of symptoms, and help prevent any potential long-term complications.
To find a primary care provider visit PBRMC.com or call 573-778-1277.
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