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Review
. 2024 May;42(2):287-302.
doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2024.01.004. Epub 2024 Feb 29.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Wesley Eilbert  1 , Andrew Matella  2
Affiliations
Review

Tick-Borne Diseases

Wesley Eilbert et al. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2024 May.

Abstract

Ticks are responsible for the vast majority of vector-borne illnesses in the United States. The number of reported tick-borne disease (TBD) cases has more than doubled in the past 20 years. The majority of TBD cases occur in warm weather months in individuals with recent outdoor activities in wooded areas. The risk of contracting a TBD is also highly dependent on geographic location. Between 24 and 48 hours of tick attachment is required for most disease transmission to occur. Only 50% to 70% of patients with a TBD will recall being bitten by a tick, and TBDs are often initially misdiagnosed as a viral illness. Most TBDs are easily treated when diagnosed early in their course.

Keywords: Babesiosis; Ehrlichiosis; Lyme disease; Rocky Mountain spotted fever; Tick borne diseases; Tick borne illnesses; Tularemia; Vector borne illnesses.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have no commercial or financial conflicts to disclose. The authors received no funding used in the preparation of this article.