Co-Infections
Tick Development And Pathogens
As discussed in the Primer, female ticks need blood to survive and develop. Because she feeds on a variety of different hosts during her development the opportunity exists to be infected with different pathogens carried by the host animals.
As a "larva", her "first" meal of choice is the white-footed mouse which is a known reservoir for the Borrelia Burgdoferi bacteria. In this stage, she also feeds on chipmunks, birds, and other small animals.
As a "nymph" she feeds on groundhogs, woodchucks, opossum, deer, dogs, cats, and humans. In the last or final stage, the "adult" female prefers to feed on deer but given the opportunity feeds on humans too.
By the time the female tick has reached maturity the "adult" tick can be infected with several different pathogens (aka co-infections) making a single Tick bite a nasty payload of lethal biological agents.
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Co-infections have a major impact on a patient's well-being making it difficult to lead a normal everyday life. The existence of co-infections explains why some people with a Tick-Borne disease remain chronically ill after treatment. The most common co-infection pathogens carried by Ticks are:
Tick Bites And Infections
The chances of a Tick becoming infected with different pathogens increases as the Tick progresses through each stage of its development. As larvae, Ticks are "pathogen free" until they have their first blood meal. In this stage, approximately 20% of the Ticks become infected with at least one or more pathogens. After larvae molt into the nymph stage, they become aggressive feeders and feed on larger animals including humans picking up and transferring pathogens as they feed. By the time a Tick reaches the adult stage it's estimated at least 50% of the time adult ticks will transfer one or more diseases when feeding on a host.
Your risk of becoming infected from a Tick bite depends on how long the Tick is attached and feeding and the type of pathogens it's carrying in its gut. Pathogens can be transferred in a little as 24 hours but most often happen in 1-2 days. Viruses can be transferred in as little as 15 minutes and if a Tick is attached and feeding for 3-4 days your risk of infection can be as high as 100%.
20% Of Nymphs Are Infected
50% Of Adults Are Infected
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
At first glance it looks like the odds are in your favor that you will NOT be infected during a single Tick bite, however, you cannot tell by looking at a Tick if its carrying pathogens. The risk of infection increases the longer a Tick is attached and feeding. Use the following link for labs that test ticks for pathogens. If you remove an embedded Tick from your body have it tested for known Tick borne pathogens so you can receive the appropriate treatment!
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Labs That Test Ticks For Pathogens
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DON'T GAMBLE WITH YOUR HEALTH!!
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
Tick Bites And Infections Rates
A number of peer review surveys have confirmed at least 50% of the time you will get a co-infection during a Tick bite. A survey (Johnson 2014), published March 27, 2014, of over 3,000 patients with chronic Lyme (Borrelia) disease, found that more than 50% had co-infections, with 30% reporting at least two or more. In addition to Borrelia, 32% had Babesia, 28% Bartonella, 15% Ehrlichia, 15% Mycoplasma, 6% Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, 5% Anaplasma and 1% Tularemia. A similar study in Canada found comparable rates of infection in patients with chronic Lyme disease. For more information follow the ARTICLE>> Link.
These surveys and others have shown that it's commonplace for multiple co-infection agents to be present and transferred during a single Tick bite with the most common pathogens being Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia. Co-infections always complicate a doctor's ability to properly diagnose and treat Tick-Borne infections.
