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Medical City Healthcare

Signs and Symptoms of Tick-borne Diseases

At Medical City Healthcare, we want to support your health every step of the way. Learn about different tick-borne diseases, including their signs and symptoms.

Tick-borne diseases Reported cases in TX (2015)* Incubation Period Signs and Symptoms
Anaplasmosis 3 1-2 weeks Fever, shaking, chills, sever headache, malaise, muscle pain, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia), cough rash (rare cases).
Babesiosis 1 1-9+ weeks Fever, chills, sweats, malaise, fatigue, muscle pain, joint inflammation, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia, nausea). Less common: abdominal pain, vomiting, dark urine, cough, sore throat, emotional changes, depression, sensitivity to light, red eyes, enlarged spleen, enlarged liver, or jaundice. Can be fatal.
Ehrlichiosis 8 1-2 weeks Fever, headache, chills, malaise, muscle plain, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia), confusion, red eyes, rash (more commonly reported among children).
Lyme Disease 54 3-30 days Distinctive expanding red-ring "bulls-eye" rash (not all cases), Flu-like symptoms (malaise, headache, fever), joint inflammation, muscle/tendon/bursae/bone pain, secondary rashes, swollen lymph nodes, cardiac inflammation, neurological motor or sensory impairment, conjunctivitis, enlarged liver or spleen.
Powassan Disease 0 1-4 weeks Fever, headache, vomitting, generalized weakness. Usually progresses to meningoencephalitis. May include meningeal signs, altered mental status, seizures, impaired speech, movement disorders, or cranial nerve palsies.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) 61 2-5 days Rash (small, flat pink, non-itchy spots that may progress to red to purple spots six or more days after fever). Fever, chills, severe headache, malaise, muscle pain, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain or tenderness), sensitivity to light, neurological symptoms (motor or sensory impairment). Can be fatal.
Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) N/A 1-7 days Rash similar to Lyme disease(expandning bulls-eye lesion). Fatigue, headache, fever, muscle and joint pain.
Tularemia 1 3-5 days Ulcers develops at infection site (not always present). Fever, chills, headache, malaise, fatigue, muscle pain, chest pain/discomfort, non-productive cough, severe sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms (vomitting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain), conjunctivits, sensitivity to light, excessive tears, neurological symptoms (motor or sensory impairment), enlarged lymph nodes.