Last Updated on June 14, 2022 by Lori Geurin
Lyme is the most widespread tick-borne disease in the U.S. It’s been found in all 50 states and every continent but Antarctica. 25% of the reported cases are children. Less than 50% of people with Lyme get a bull’s eye rash. But did you know that ticks transmit other harmful diseases too? In fact, many people infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria which cause Lyme, have additional tick-borne co-infections.
Below is a list of tick diseases. I’m linking out to additional resources. But viewer discretion is advised. What I mean by that is read the outgoing links knowing there is disagreement in the medical community about Lyme and where it does and does not occur.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of my affiliate links, I may get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting our little blog. I appreciate you!
Myths About Tick Borne Diseases
As we know, ticks and hosts are mobile. They move. They don’t stay in a particular county or state. I wish they did. I say let’s lock ’em up and throw away the key!
But, I digress…
Please keep that in mind if you’re clicking out to one of the links below (especially the CDC) and you read something that sounds vaguely (or exactly) like one of the following:
- “so and so tick-borne illness is very rare” (false)
- “the tick-borne illness that is restricted to only New York and Maine” (wrong, again)
- “so and so tick-borne illness is restricted to the Northeastern U.S.” (again, false)
- “so and so tick-borne illness is hard to catch and easy to treat” (one of the more popular ones, and again, wrong!)
because if you read any of this, know that it’s a bunch of hooey. And if you hear anyone repeating this false information, please help us bring awareness to tick-borne diseases, stop the spread of bad (and heartless) information, and politely offer up this article for them to read.
So, on with the list, my friends.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of my affiliate links, I may get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting our little blog. I appreciate you!
Most Common Tick-Borne Diseases In Humans
- Lyme disease
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Borrelia Miyamoto
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)
- Borrelia mayonii
- Heartland virus (HRTV)
- Colorado tick fever
- Powassan (POW) Disease
- Q Fever
- Relapsing Fever
- Tick-Borne Encephalitis
- Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) or Master’s Disease
- Tularemia
- Bartonellosis
- Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis
- Bourbon virus disease
- 364D rickettsiosis
- Alpha-gal syndrome
Want to learn more about tick-borne illnesses? I created a Lyme resource to help answer your questions. The guide provides you with:
- more details about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases
- valuable information on diagnosis and testing
- where to find financial help for Lyme patients
- prevention tips
- instructions for how to properly remove a tick
- and more…
all based on research. Simply click below to check it out.
Related: The Signs, Symptoms, And Stages Of Lyme Disease

Summary Of Tick-Borne Diseases Prevention
I hope this quick list of tick-borne diseases helps you see the reach a tiny tick can have over human life. My friends and family tell me they’re more careful protecting themselves from ticks because they know what I’ve been through with chronic Lyme.
Sometimes I feel guilty for making others worry in this way. So I try to break the ice and say goofy things like, *I have that effect on people. But while I don’t want to cause a panic, it’s crucial for you to be aware of the facts so you can protect yourself – and enjoy being in the great outdoors.
Truly, prevention is always best – especially when it comes to tick-borne diseases.
For tips on how to protect yourself from ticks, go to Top 10 Ways To Prevent Lyme Disease (And Other Tick-Borne Illness)
Do you or someone you know have Lyme or one of the tick-borne diseases listed above?
Share your comments and questions below. I love hearing from you. X, Lori
Reporter, Linda Simmons from KY3 News interviewed me about my experience with Lyme disease. If you’d like to learn more, you can watch the interview here.
If you’d like to learn more about Lyme disease, check out:
- Tick Identification Guide And Protecting Your Pets
- Is Chronic Lyme Disease Real? Part 1
- Symptoms And Stages Of Lyme Disease
- Author Marlena Lewis Writes About Life Struggles And Lyme Disease
- Lyme Disease Awareness
- Warning: Lyme Disease Is Spreading Faster Than AIDS
Ugh ticks rule my life right now! I pull them off my daughter weekly and my dogs all the time! A woman I used to babysit for has lyme disease and it was truly life changing for her. She spends her nurse-life advocating for awareness of the disease and what it’s done to her immune system and other complications. Great list of resources and information, thanks!
Oh, girl, that’s not good! So sorry to hear about your friend, but I’m glad she’s able to advocate for Lyme awareness…it’s so important. I hope her health has improved! Lyme is a horrible disease – been living with it for several years. Thank you so much for sharing about this and helping bring more awareness to Lyme! X
Ahhh ticks are the worst! I used to live next-door to an overgrown yard and my poor pup got Ehrlicha (basically the dog version of rocky mountain spotted tick fever) even though she was on tick and flea medication! I felt so bad for her….luckily we got it taken care of and she is fine 🙂
Oh, Amanda, that’s awful! I’m so sorry your baby had to go through this (and you too). So thankful she’s doing well now. That’s smart to have them on tick and flea meds…even if one slipped through the cracks. Thanks for sharing this and hope you never have to go through this again! X, Lori
So timely. I’m saving this for keeps.
This is good to hear. I hope you find it helpful!
I think I’m more afraid of ticks than any other critter! I may need to get some guineas to eat them all in my yard!
I hear you, Jenn! That sounds like a good idea – anything to get rid of these little varmints!