Tick-Borne Diseases

Course overview

According to the Tick-Borne Diseases working group 2018 Report to Congress: "Tick-borne diseases have rapidly become a serious and growing threat to public health in the United States. Despite many scientific unknowns, experts agree that the incidence and distribution of tick-borne diseases are increasing. Over the past 25 years, reports of Lyme disease have increased steadily with estimated annual cases approximating 300,000. The number of U.S. counties now considered to be of high incidence for Lyme disease has increased by more than 300% in the Northeastern states and by approximately 250% in the North-Central states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recognizes 18 tick-borne pathogens in the United States. However, researchers and health care practitioners continue to discover emerging disease agents and new medical conditions associated with tick bites." This presents a unique challenge for nursing staff in identifying, tracking, and understanding tick-borne diseases, their symptom, and treatment options. The following course was put together with developed by the CDC and materials CDC public domain content, especially the pamphlet titled "Tickborne Diseases of the United States," a reference manual for healthcare professionals, fifth edition, 2018.