Most Common Tick-Borne Diseases for Kids | Learn About Illnesses Spread by Ticks

Ticks are tiny arachnids that feed on blood, and some of them carry germs like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When a tick bites and stays attached long enough, it can pass these germs into your bloodstream, causing illness. These are known as tick-borne diseases.

Not all tick bites make you sick, but some can lead to serious symptoms if not treated early. That’s why it’s important to know what these diseases are, what signs to look for, and how to prevent tick bites in the first place.

1. Lyme Disease

Cause: A bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, spread by the blacklegged tick (also known as the deer tick)
Location: Mostly in the northeastern, midwestern, and Pacific coast regions of the United States

Symptoms:

•     Bull’s-eye rash (called erythema migrans)
•     Fever and chills
•     Headache and fatigue
•     Muscle and joint pain
•     If untreated: joint swelling, nervous system problems

Treatment: Antibiotics, usually started early for best results
Prevention: Check for ticks, wear protective clothing, and remove ticks quickly

2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

Cause: Bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, spread by American Dog Ticks, Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks, and Brown Dog Ticks
Location: Found in the southeastern U.S., parts of the Rocky Mountains, and Southwest

Symptoms:

•     Sudden high fever
•     Headache, muscle pain
•     A spotted red rash starting at wrists/ankles
•     Nausea or vomiting
•     If untreated: confusion, seizures, organ failure

Treatment: Doxycycline, started as soon as RMSF is suspected
Prevention: Avoid tick habitats, check for ticks, and treat pets

3. Ehrlichiosis

Cause: Bacteria in the genus Ehrlichia, spread by the Lone Star Tick
Location: Mostly in the southeastern and south-central United States

Symptoms:

•     Fever and chills
•     Muscle aches
•     Upset stomach
•     Sometimes a rash (more common in kids)
•     If untreated: trouble breathing, confusion

Treatment: Doxycycline is the most effective medicine
Prevention: Protect skin in wooded or brushy areas and check for ticks after outdoor activities

4. Babesiosis

Cause: A parasite that infects red blood cells, spread by the blacklegged tick
Location: Northeastern and upper midwestern U.S., often in the same areas as Lyme disease

Symptoms:

•     Fatigue and weakness
•     Fever and chills
•     Sweating and headache
•     In some cases, anemia (low red blood cells)

Treatment: A combination of antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs
Note: Can be more serious in people with weakened immune systems or no spleen

5. Anaplasmosis

Cause: Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria, also spread by the blacklegged tick
Location: Northeastern and upper midwestern U.S.

Symptoms:

•     Fever and chills
•     Muscle aches
•     Headache
•     Nausea
•     Sometimes no symptoms at all

Treatment: Doxycycline, usually works quickly if started early
Tip: Anaplasmosis often occurs in the same places and times as Lyme disease

6. Powassan Virus

Cause: A rare but serious virus carried by blacklegged ticks
Location: Northeastern and Great Lakes regions

Symptoms:

•     Fever
•     Vomiting
•     Weakness
•     Seizures or brain swelling (encephalitis) in severe cases

Treatment: No specific medicine—supportive care in hospitals is required
Warning: Can be life-threatening, though rare

7. Alpha-Gal Syndrome (Meat Allergy)

Cause: A sugar molecule (alpha-gal) triggered by bites from the Lone Star Tick
Location: Southern and eastern U.S., spreading northward

What Happens: After being bitten, some people develop a severe allergy to red meat (like beef, pork, or lamb)

Symptoms:

•     Hives, rash
•     Trouble breathing
•     Upset stomach after eating meat
•     Symptoms may appear hours after eating

Treatment: Avoiding red meat, carrying allergy medications (like epinephrine)

🌍 Other Tick-Borne Diseases (Less Common but Notable)

•     Tularemia – Rare bacterial infection, spread by ticks and wild animals
•     Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) – Found in western U.S., spread by soft ticks
•     Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) – A Lyme-like illness linked to the Lone Star Tick, less severe than Lyme disease
•     Tick Paralysis – Caused by a toxin in tick saliva; removing the tick stops the paralysis

👧 Kid-Friendly Summary

Ticks are tiny bugs that can carry germs that make people sick. Some of the most common illnesses from tick bites are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis. These illnesses can cause fever, rashes, tiredness, and aches. If caught early, most of them can be treated with medicine called antibiotics. The best way to stay healthy is to avoid tick bites by wearing the right clothes, using bug spray, and checking your skin after playing outside.

📚 Vocabulary Words

Tick-borne disease – An illness spread through the bite of an infected tick
Bacteria – Tiny living things that can cause infections
Antibiotic – Medicine that kills bacteria
Virus – A type of germ that causes disease
Parasite – A creature that lives off another being to survive
Rash – A skin reaction that may be red, itchy, or bumpy
Anemia – When your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells
Encephalitis – Swelling of the brain, often caused by viruses

❓ Interactive Quiz (8 Questions)

1. What is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S.?
A. Tularemia
B. Lyme disease ✅
C. Rabies
D. Chickenpox

2. Which tick spreads Lyme disease?
A. Lone Star Tick
B. American Dog Tick
C. Blacklegged (deer) tick ✅
D. Brown Dog Tick

3. What does Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever cause?
A. Bellyache
B. A spotted red rash ✅
C. Sneezing
D. Blisters

4. What kind of medicine treats most tick-borne diseases?
A. Vitamins
B. Antibiotics ✅
C. Painkillers
D. Allergy pills

5. What disease can make someone allergic to meat?
A. Lyme disease
B. Alpha-gal syndrome ✅
C. Babesiosis
D. RMSF

6. What disease is caused by a parasite in red blood cells?
A. Ehrlichiosis
B. Babesiosis ✅
C. Anaplasmosis
D. Flu

7. Which disease is caused by a virus, not bacteria?
A. Lyme disease
B. Ehrlichiosis
C. Powassan virus ✅
D. Anaplasmosis

8. How can you prevent tick-borne diseases?
A. Eat candy
B. Take naps
C. Avoid tick bites ✅
D. Wear sandals