Tick-Borne Diseases: Frequently Asked Questions

All outdoor workers should check with their supervisor if they have questions about possible exposure to ticks. Workers at risk of tick-borne diseases include, but are not limited to, those working in the following:

• Construction
• Landscaping
• Forestry
• Brush clearing
• Land surveying
• Farming
• Railroad work
• Oil field work
• Utility line work
• Park or wildlife management
• Other outdoor work

Diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens in the United States include:

• Lyme disease
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness
• Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever
• Tularemia
• Anaplasmosis
• Colorado tick fever
• Powassan encephalitis
• Q fever

CDC Geographic Distribution of Ticks (includes maps)

Ticks are usually more active in the months of April through October and peak in the summer months of June through August. The time of year when ticks are active may vary with the geographic region and climate. Outdoor workers should be extra careful to protect themselves in the late spring and summer when immature ticks are most active.

There are many symptoms associated with tick-borne diseases. Infected workers may not have all of these symptoms and many of these symptoms can occur with other diseases as well. Some common symptoms of infection with tick-borne diseases include:

• Body/muscle aches
• Fever
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Rash
• Stiff neck
• Facial paralysis

Tick-borne diseases are diagnosed based on symptoms and the possibility that the worker has been exposed to infected ticks.

Most cases can be successfully treated with specific types of antibiotics, especially if treatment is started early. However, some workers may have symptoms such as arthritis, muscle and joint pain, or fatigue for an extended period of time.