Lyme disease isn’t the only reason to watch out for ticks. The bite of these tiny pests can infect you with other diseases, as well. One you may not know about is Borrelia miyamotoi disease, or BMD.
What is BMD?
Borrelia miyamotoi is a type of bacteria. They can lurk inside certain species of ticks. In the U.S., these are the black-legged tick and the western black-legged tick. The former is more commonly known as a deer tick.
If you are bitten by a tick that carries Borrelia miyamotoi, you may develop BMD. Most cases in the U.S. have occurred in Northeastern states and California. But experts believe BMD is a threat wherever black-legged ticks roam. They can be found along the Pacific Coast, in the Northeast, and in the upper Midwest.
What are the symptoms of BMD?
The symptoms of BMD are similar to Lyme disease—a more well-known tick-borne illness. A person with BMD may first suspect the flu. The disease often strikes with a fever, chills, and a severe headache. Different from Lyme, BMD tends to cause more gastrointestinal upset and not as many joint and skin issues. Long-lasting fatigue is also common.
How is BMD diagnosed and treated?
“BMD can be hard to diagnose, and no easy test can detect the bacteria in your body,” says Jorge Fleisher, MD, chief of infectious disease with Steward Health Care. “Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and any history of a tick bite. If he or she suspects BMD, you will need antibiotics for two to four weeks.”
Most people who are infected with BMD fully recover. But some may need a hospital stay. People with other health problems or a weakened immune system may suffer worse symptoms.
Can you prevent BMD?
Like other tick-borne illnesses, BMD can be prevented. Stay away from tick habitat. Ticks favor heavily wooded areas, especially high grass and leaf litter.
Here are some other tips to fend off ticks.
- Apply insect repellant if you are venturing into an area where ticks may live. Repellants containing the chemicals DEET (applied to the skin) or permethrin (applied to clothing) are effective against them.
- If you are in a region known to have ticks wear appropriate clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts to minimize skin exposure.
- Check your body thoroughly for ticks after returning from tick-prone places. Ticks tend to favor areas under the arms, behind the knees, around the ears, and in the hair. You should also inspect gear and clothing.
- If you do find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible with a set of fine-tipped tweezers. After you have completely removed the tick, thoroughly wash the area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, iodine, or soap and water.
- Keep your yard clear of ticks. Remove leaf litter and tall grass. Place furniture and play equipment away from yard edges. You may also want to apply a pesticide at the appropriate time of the year.
Know these tick-borne illnesses, too
More than a dozen illnesses are linked to ticks. Along with BMD, you should also be aware of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the Heartland virus, and anaplasmosis.
“The symptoms of these diseases are like other tick-borne illnesses. They cause fever, muscle pain, headache, and nausea,” explains Dr. Fleisher. “Their nonspecific symptoms can make a diagnosis a challenge. Rocky Mountain spotted fever typically causes a fever and a red rash.”
If you suspect you have been bitten by a tick, schedule an appointment with your health care provider as soon as possible.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
