LymeNet Flash: Which tick-borne illness can be transmitted just by touching a tick?

This is topic Which tick-borne illness can be transmitted just by touching a tick? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :

I am pretty sure I read somewhere, a long time ago, that one of the TBI's can be transmitted by touching a tick, no bite needed.

Anyone know, or am I remembering incorrectly?

If this is correct, do you remember what source I may have read this in?

Sometimes my memory is not too good.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Maybe you're thinking of tularemia??

"Tularemia can also be transmitted by biting flies, particularly the deer fly Chrysops discalis. Individual flies can remain infective for 14 days and ticks for over 2 years. Tularemia may also be spread by direct contact with contaminated animals or material, by ingestion of poorly cooked flesh of infected animals or contaminated water, or by inhalation."

Wikipedia

Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :

I thought it was a risk for RMSF transmission. It always makes me cringe when I see dog owners removing dog ticks by hand.

Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :

Hmmmm, both Tularemia and RMSF ring a bell with me...

I wish I could remember where I read that.

I was thinking it was in the pamphlet called "Lyme R Primer" but I can't find it.

Thank you, Lymetoo and Maria!!!

Appreciate it!

Anyone else know if you read this in a credible TBI source?

Posted by stillwater (Member # 30312) on :

Hopefully this will help

http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/images/NewDirectory/Resources/LDA_Brochures/LymeRPrimer_2010.pdf

Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :

Thank you stillwater and onbam!!!

Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :

No time to look up references now -- but both rocky mountain spotted fever and bartonella can be spread by touch. That is the way cat scratch fever is often spread -- from flea feces.

The skin does need to be broken I think though for penetration.

Bea Seibert

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I shudder to think how many ticks and fleas I've pulled off of pets in the past 50 yrs! YUCKO! Not to mention how many times I was bitten by ticks. Tons. I can't believe I'm well today.

We used to kill the ticks and fleas by crushing them with our thumbnails.

TMI?? [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lymetoo:
I shudder to think how many ticks and fleas I've pulled off of pets in the past 50 yrs! YUCKO! Not to mention how many times I was bitten by ticks. Tons. I can't believe I'm well today.

We used to kill the ticks and fleas by crushing them with our thumbnails.

TMI??

Oh Lord..me too. I used to work for a veterinarian and dogs would come in loaded with ticks and we'd just pick them right off with our fingers. [bonk]

I've probably picked 20 or more ticks off me in my 44 years...with my fingers...squishing their guts and stomach contents right into my system.
[shake]

Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :

Thanks for the info, Bea!!

Lymetoo,

Yucko is right!!!

Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :

Oh, Hambone, that sounds awful.

[shake]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

My count is over 100 tick bites and I'm not in any way exaggerating. No one knew ticks carried diseases in the 50's, 60's and most of the 70's. I never heard of Lyme disease until the 80's.

Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :

Thanks for your info and thoughts, onbam!

Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :

Wow, Lymetoo, over 100 tick bites!!

I don't even remember the one that made me sick.

I do remember alot of chigger bites as a kid though.