Ticks Make You Sick: Immunosuppression and Tick-Borne Illnesses

There are tiny creatures lurking in the underbrush. They wait patiently for an unsuspecting victim to walk by. The victim may be animal or human, but either way, these tiny terrors will be ready to take a bite. Are you wondering what this monster could be? Well, to many of us, the answer would be simple. These mini-menaces are ticks. If you haven’t considered it before, now is a good time to think of tick as one of those dirty four-letter words that offend the ears. Ticks bring more than just an itch; they can carry a host of diseases. Many of these are hard enough on a healthy immune system, but those with any type of immunosuppression should take heed.
Immunosuppression occurs when a person either has an immunosuppressive condition or is undergoing an immunosuppressive therapy. When a person is immunocompromised, the immune system cannot do its job properly. In a healthy immune system, the body produces antigens which fight off diseases. When the immune system has been compromised in some way, the body can no longer do this and diseases develop.
In Missouri, the most common tick-related illness is ehrlichiosis. This disease is most commonly carried by the Lone Star tick, and the symptoms may be easily confused with those of other illnesses. Some common symptoms of ehrlichiosis include: fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle ache.
There are four types of immunosuppression commonly affected by this disease. These immune response deficiencies are caused either by therapies that affect the immune system or specific conditions. If you fit into any of the following categories, it is especially important for you to take precaution.
Immunosuppressions can be caused by:
• Solid organ transplant
• Chemotherapy for cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Auto Immune disorders such as: diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and scleroderma
Healthy or immune suppressed, it is important for everyone to fight the tick bite. Summer time is the perfect time for outdoor activities, but is also the perfect time for ticks. To have fun this summer without getting bitten, follow these simple precautions:
• Avoid tall grasses and brush areas. When hiking, walk in the center of trails.
• Wear light-colored clothing, and tuck your pants into your socks.
• Use an insect repellent containing 20-50% DEET.
• If you have pets, check them for ticks.
• Always check yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors.
• If you find any ticks, remove them immediately!
For proper removal of ticks, follow these steps. Remember, infections can happen within 10 hours of a tick bite!
• Getting as close to the skin as possible, use tweezers to grasp the tick near the head or mouth area.
• Pull firmly, straight away from the body. Do NOT jerk or twist.
• Do NOT use alcohol, matches, or petroleum jelly to remove the tick.
• After removal, wash your hands and the bite area with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic product to the area after washing.
• Finally, if you develop any symptoms such as fatigue, fever, or rash following the tick bite, alert your doctor!

For more information:
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/TicksCarryDisease
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000821.htm
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Ehrlichiosis
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/ehrlichiosis/index.html