Ticks are arthropods that act as carriers of virus that infects your body. Next to mosquito they are well known to spread many diseases through secretions or saliva injected into the bloodstream. Some of the major diseases that is caused by tick bite are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, tick related rash, tick borne fever, tularemia, Colorado tick fever and Q fever and African cattle disease.
Tick related diseases are intense from April-September since it is the time they metamorphosis from larvae to adults. It usually starts with mild winter or during early spring season where there is increased frequency of tick bites. The life cycle of different ticks is different and so the range of diseases also varies.
Ticks thrive in bushy areas and hence people who walk barefoot on the grass can easily become a host. Apart from human ticks also sucks blood from pet animals like dogs, cats, or sheep. On invading the host, it secretes some fluid like saliva which contains neurotoxins. Hence the person may not feel any pain or irritation when the tick is sucking blood. Some people develop allergic reactions in response to tick bite.
Symptoms :
The range of symptoms is not common for all persons who suffer a tick bite. It depends on various factors like age, health condition and intensity of tick bite and the type of tick etc.
Often there may be signs of numbness on the affected area, fever, rash or allergic skin reaction, flu, weakness, confusion, pain or swelling in the joints. In very rare cases, there can be shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, increased heartbeat, palpitation and fatigue.
Diagnoses :
There are no concrete tests to detect the tick bite since the tick dislocates from your body after biting. Hence your doctor will physically examine the part of the bite, and look for the above symptoms before making the right diagnoses.