Ticks are sneaky critters who work hard to make a ‘connection’ with international travelers. These vampires attach to animals, birds and humans to obtain a blood meal. Since ticks are not agile swimmers, fish are not on their menu. Most are harmless, but some species can leave behind germs that can make you sick. In fact, a tick bite can transmit several germs at the same time, creating a diagnostic puzzle for doctors.
Which Diseases are Spread by Ticks?
- Lyme Disease- Occurs in Asia and Europe but is uncommon in travelers
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – Occurs in South America, not just in the American west.
- Tick-borne Encephalitis- occurs in Europe, Russia and parts of China
- African Tick-bite Fever- has been reported in travelers returning from sub-Saharan Africa. Typical symptoms are fever, headache and a rash.
- Tick Typhus
- Q Fever
- Tick Paralysis
- Ehrlichiosis- a flu-like illness that is treated with an antibiotic
What If I Find a Tick on my Skin?
Remove it. The best way is to grab the tick gently as close to your skin as possible with flat-tipped tweezers. Don’t crush the tick. Pull it straight out slowly. Don’t twist or jerk the tick when pulling it. After you remove it, apply an antiseptic to the bite area and wash your hands with soap and water. A tick that is removed within 24 hours, is unlikely to transmit any germs to you.
Hot match heads, cigarettes, alcohol, gasoline, petroleum jelly and other substances do not remove ticks. If you remove a tick, put it in a covered jar or an envelope to save it. If you get sick later on, you can take the tick to the doctor to be identified. This can help make the diagnosis.
Keep an eye on the tick bite site. Call your doctor if the area becomes very red or a rash develops.
Are There Travel Vaccinations for Ticks?
If you are traveling abroad, your travel physician will likely recommend travel vaccinations to prevent various infectious diseases. There are no vaccines for tick-borne diseases that are in general use. So, you need to be vigilant about checking for ticks and removing them.
You say, “There are no vaccines for tick-borne diseases that are in general use. ” When I lived in Europe I heard about tick borne encephalitis vaccine. Is it available in the states? I will be doing a lot of hiking and camping this fall in Europe and would like to get this vaccine.
No, there is no available vaccine for tick-borne encelphalitis in the U.S. Travelers who will be at high risk for this disease may consider a vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis available in Canada or Europe. Avoiding ticks and removing them properly if they do attach to you, is the primary preventive strategy. Have a great trip! Sounds like you enjoy rugged traveling.
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