Archive for the ‘Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever’ Category

Do You Still Need to Worry About Ticks in the Winter? (YES)

https://www.southernliving.com/are-ticks-dormant-in-winter

Do You Still Need To Worry About Ticks In The Winter?

Here’s what to know about these parasites.
By Arricca Elin SanSone
Published on February 1, 2026
A close-up shows a tick moving across light-colored pants,
Credit: Getty Images

You typically don’t encounter as many insects while you’re outdoors in winter as you do the rest of the year. But that doesn’t mean everything  that bites is hunkered down until spring. “Many tick species will have adults active during the winter months,” says Sonja L, Swiger, PhD, professor, medical entomologist and extension specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife. “Since ticks are blood feeders, they do quite well throughout the winter months because they are on a host.”

Of course, ticks don’t just bite; they also carry diseases that make people and pets sick. “The most commonly encountered tickborne pathogen in the Southeast is Rocky Mountain spotted fever,” says Swiger. But Lyme disease is also a threat, though it’s not transmitted at the same rate as it is in places such as the Northeast. Other diseases that ticks can pass to people and pets include ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis.

In addition, if you think a cold or snowy winter will knock down ticks, that’s just wishful thinking. Harsh weather doesn’t really impact the tick population as a whole. “Ticks have been around for millions of years and are very good at what they do. They know how to survive,” says Eric Benson, PhD, professor emeritus and extension entomologist with  Clemson University. “During winter, many species of ticks go into diapause, a state when they reduce their metabolism to conserve energy to survive.”

 Here’s what else you should know about ticks in winter:  (See link for article)

_____________

**Comment**

Great reminder to stay vigilant.

The article points out what this website has been publishing for years: ticks are marvelously ecoadaptive and will simply hide under leaf litter or snow when weather becomes harsh. This also proves that the climate and/or ‘climate change‘ has nothing to do with tick survival and disease propagation.  They are simply built to survive.  About the only thing they can’t handle is fire!

The article then lists ways to prevent tick bites.  Go here for a multi-pronged approach.  Pet owners have nearly two times the risk of finding ticks, so multiple areas need to be addressed.

For more:

More on the ‘climate change’ agenda:

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Climate, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme, Prevention, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ticks

Lyme Disease Co-Infections: What You Need to Know

https://danielcameronmd.com/coinfections-backup/

Lyme Disease Loneliness
Jan31

Lyme Disease Co-infections: What You Need to Know

Posted By: Dr. Daniel Cameron

Lyme disease co-infections occur when a single tick bite transmits multiple pathogens. Up to 40% of Lyme patients in some regions also carry Babesia, Bartonella, Anaplasmosis, or Ehrlichia—yet these infections are frequently missed.

When co-infections go unrecognized, patients don’t fully recover. Standard Lyme treatment won’t clear a parasite like Babesia or intracellular bacteria like Anaplasmosis. Understanding lyme disease co-infections is essential for anyone who isn’t getting better despite treatment.

Why Co-infections Matter

Ticks don’t carry just one pathogen—they can harbor several at once. A single bite can transmit:

  1. Bacteria — Borrelia (Lyme), Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella
  2. Parasites — Babesia species
  3. Viruses — Powassan, others

Co-infections typically make symptoms more severe, treatment more complicated, and recovery longer. Patients with multiple infections often experience symptoms that don’t fit neatly into one diagnosis—which leads to confusion, misdiagnosis, and delayed care.

If you’ve been treated for Lyme disease but still feel sick, a co-infection may be the reason.

Babesia

Babesia is a malaria-like parasite that infects red blood cells. It’s the most common Lyme disease co-infection in the Northeast and Midwest, with up to 40% of Lyme patients in some areas also testing positive.

Key symptoms:

  1. Drenching night sweats
  2. Air hunger (shortness of breath with normal oxygen)
  3. Profound fatigue beyond typical Lyme exhaustion
  4. Cycling fevers and chills

Why it’s missed: Standard Lyme antibiotics don’t work against Babesia. Patients improve on doxycycline, then relapse—because the parasite was never treated.

Treatment: Requires antiparasitic medications (typically atovaquone + azithromycin), not standard Lyme antibiotics.

Babesia Resources

→ Babesia and Lyme: What Patients Need to Know — Comprehensive guide with 57 articles covering symptoms, testing, treatment, and more.

Bartonella

Bartonella species cause several human diseases, most famously “cat scratch fever.” While traditionally associated with flea bites and cat scratches, Bartonella has been found in ticks—including black-legged ticks that transmit Lyme.

Key symptoms:

  1. Streak-like rash (in some patients)
  2. Swollen lymph nodes
  3. Neuropsychiatric symptoms — anxiety, irritability, rage
  4. Fatigue, headaches, fever

Why it’s missed: Testing is unreliable, and many physicians don’t consider tick-borne Bartonella. Psychiatric symptoms may be attributed to stress or mental illness rather than infection.

Related Reading: Bartonella

  1. Case Reports: Bartonella Associated with Psychiatric Symptoms
  2. ALS and MS Suspected in Woman Later Diagnosed with Bartonella and Lyme
  3. Babesia Bartonella: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Children

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis (formerly Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis) is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. It’s transmitted by the same black-legged tick that carries Lyme disease.

Key symptoms:

  1. High fever, chills
  2. Severe headache
  3. Muscle aches
  4. Fatigue, malaise

Why it’s missed: Symptoms overlap with Lyme and other flu-like illnesses. Without specific testing, Anaplasmosis is often overlooked—especially when Lyme is already diagnosed.

Treatment: Responds to doxycycline, the same antibiotic used for Lyme. However, treatment duration and monitoring may differ when co-infection is present.

Related Reading: Anaplasmosis
  1. Babesia Anaplasmosis: Cognitive Impairment in Co-infection
  2. Tick Bite Multiple Co-infections: One Bite, Many Pathogens

Ehrlichia

Ehrlichiosis is caused primarily by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and transmitted by the Lone Star tick. It attacks white blood cells, potentially causing severe illness if untreated.

Key symptoms:

  1. Fever, headache
  2. Fatigue, muscle aches
  3. Nausea, vomiting
  4. Confusion (in severe cases)

Why it’s missed: Similar presentation to Anaplasmosis and other tick-borne diseases. Geographic distribution differs—Ehrlichiosis is more common in the Southeast and South-Central U.S.

Treatment: Doxycycline is the treatment of choice. Delayed treatment can lead to hospitalization.

Other Tick-Borne Infections

The list of tick-borne diseases continues to grow:

  1. STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness) — EM-like rash from Lone Star tick, causative agent unknown
  2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever — Severe, potentially fatal if untreated
  3. Powassan Virus — Rare but serious neurological infection
  4. Borrelia miyamotoi — Relapsing fever-like illness
  5. Rickettsiosis — Various spotted fever group infections

When to Suspect Co-infections

Consider lyme disease co-infections if:

  1. Symptoms are unusually severe
  2. You’re not improving with standard Lyme treatment
  3. You relapse after completing antibiotics
  4. Night sweats, air hunger, or high fevers are prominent
  5. Neuropsychiatric symptoms don’t fit the typical Lyme pattern

Co-infections don’t always show up on tests. Clinical judgment—based on symptoms, exposure history, and treatment response—often guides diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get multiple infections from one tick bite?

Yes. A single tick can carry several pathogens simultaneously, transmitting them all in one bite. This is why co-infections are so common in Lyme patients.

Why don’t standard Lyme antibiotics work for all co-infections?

Lyme disease is bacterial, but Babesia is a parasite—it requires antiparasitic medications. Bartonella may need different antibiotics than those used for Lyme. Each pathogen requires targeted treatment.

How are co-infections diagnosed?

Testing exists for most co-infections, but sensitivity varies. Blood smears, PCR, and antibody tests each have limitations. Clinical diagnosis based on symptoms is often necessary.

Do co-infections make Lyme disease worse?

Yes. Studies show that patients with co-infections experience more severe symptoms, longer illness duration, and slower recovery than those with Lyme alone.

What if I’ve been treated for Lyme but still feel sick?

Undiagnosed co-infection is one of the most common reasons for persistent symptoms after Lyme treatment. Evaluation for Babesia, Bartonella, and other pathogens should be considered.

Related Resources

  1. Babesia and Lyme: What Patients Need to Know — Complete Babesia hub
  2. Lyme Disease Symptoms
  3. Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)
  4. Autonomic Dysfunction in Lyme Disease
  5. Lyme Disease Misconceptions

If you’re struggling with persistent symptoms despite Lyme treatment, co-infections may be part of the picture. Identifying and treating all tick-borne pathogens is often the key to recovery.

For more:

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Bartonella, Borrelia Miyamotoi (Relapsing Fever Group), Ehrlichiosis, Lyme, Rickettsia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Viruses

New Rickettsia Species Found in Dogs & Lone Star Ticks in California

https://www.lymedisease.org/new-rickettsia-in-dogs/

Researchers confirm new Rickettsia species found in dogs

By Tracy Peake, NC State

Researchers from North Carolina State University have confirmed that a species of Rickettsia first seen in dogs in 2018 is a new species of bacteria.

The new species, dubbed Rickettsia finnyi, is associated with symptoms similar to those of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in dogs, but has not yet been found in humans.

Rickettsia pathogens are categorized into four groups; of those, spotted-fever group Rickettsia (which is transmitted by ticks) is the most commonly known and contains the most identified species. There are more than 25 species of tick-borne, spotted-fever group Rickettsia species worldwide, with R. rickettsii – which causes RMSF – being one of the most virulent and dangerous.

Symptoms of RMSF in dogs and people are similar, including fever, lethargy and symptoms related to vascular inflammation, like swelling, rash and pain.

“We first reported the novel species of Rickettsia in a 2020 case series involving three dogs,” says Barbara Qurollo, associate research professor at NC State and corresponding author of the new study.

“Since then we received samples from an additional 16 dogs – primarily from the Southeast and Midwest – that were infected with the same pathogen. We were also able to culture the new species from the blood of one of the naturally infected dogs in that group.”

To name a new Rickettsial bacterial species, the bacteria must be cultured, its genome sequenced and published, and the cultures must be deposited in two biobanks so that other researchers can also study it. Qurollo’s group successfully cultured the new species from the infected dog.

Culturing a difficult pathogen

“Rickettsia species are difficult to culture because these organisms grow inside of cells,” Qurollo says. “While we haven’t been able to confirm which tick species transmit it yet, we think it may be associated with the lone star tick, because a research group in Oklahoma found R. finnyi DNA in a lone star tick.”

The researchers named the new species Rickettsia finnyi, after Finny, the first dog they found it in.

“By naming it after an individual dog, we wanted to honor all companion dogs that have contributed to the discovery of new pathogens that could cause serious illness in both dogs and humans,” Qurollo says.

The work appears in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

SOURCE: North Carolina State University

________________

https://www.lymedisease.org/lone-star-ticks-california/

Are lone star ticks taking hold in California?

The lone star tick, notorious for spreading disease and causing a red meat allergy called alpha-gal syndrome, has long plagued the eastern United States.

Now, UC Davis researchers warn it may be edging closer to establishing itself in California.

Their study uncovered seventy-six lone star ticks reported across the state, including recent finds in the Bay Area and San Clemente. While field teams in 2024 and 2025 didn’t recover any during surveillance, climate models show coastal California offers prime conditions for the species.

Experts say the tick isn’t officially established yet, but the risk is real. With climate change and increased movement of animals and people, scientists caution that Californians should stay vigilant, check for ticks after outdoor activities, and report unusual sightings.

Click here to read the study in the journal Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases.

______________

**Comment**

Sadly, climate clap trap has taken hold in research because a political tribalism has taken over due to highly competitive, but limited research dollars to be vied for.  “Science” has been wrong about global warming for over 50 years but refuses to admit fault or reform.  

Regarding tick and disease proliferation, independent research has already proven the climate is a mute point as ticks are highly ecoadaptive, yet the narrative continues on like a bad penny.  And nary a word is ever mentioned about our own government experimenting on ticks and dropping them out of airplanes.

Much easier to blame the climate phantom.

Category:

Activism, Alpha Gal Meat Allergy, Climate, research, Rickettsia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ticks, Transmission

RMSF Case Documented in Quebec

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/tick-borne-rocky-mountain-spotted-fever-detected-in-quebec-and-ontario/

Potentially deadly tick-borne illness recorded in Quebec and Ontario

By Daniel Otis

Published: 

Canada’s first known human case of a potentially deadly tick-borne illness has been documented in Quebec.

The Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever case was recently recorded in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. It follows reports from Ontario of infected animals that visited Long Point on Lake Erie.

“Many people with this infection can be on the more severe end of the spectrum,” infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday. “This can cause a very significant illness and can result in hospitalization and death.”

The bacterial illness is carried by several tick species, including dermacentor variabilis, which is also known as the American dog tick. Despite its name, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is most common in the eastern United States, where thousands of cases are recorded every year. (See link for article)

_____________

**Comment**

Unfortunately, the article regurgitates the climate change myth.

Ticks are marvelous ecoadapters and will be the last species on planet earth. They have the equivalent of antifreeze in their bodies and will simply find snow or leaf litter to crawl under when conditions become harsh.  In fact, warm winters are lethal to ticks, with overwinter survival dropping to 33% when the snow melted.  This has been substantiated by other researchers as well.  Scott & Scott, 2018, ticks and climate change, JVSM

They need snow cover to survive.

So ‘climate change’ would actually kill ticks.  

If only.

Important excerpt:

If left untreated, the fatality rate can be as high as between 20 to 30 per cent, according to the U.S.-based Cleveland Clinic. When treated with the antibiotic doxycycline, which is also used for Lyme disease, the fatality rate drops to between five and 10 per cent. Early intervention is key to avoid more serious outcomes, which can also include amputation, hearing loss and brain damage.

Sadly, very little real journalism is occurring in the U.S.  Reporters simply take regurgitated information and regurgitate it back yet again perpetuating the cycle of an accepted narrative.  Where are the investigative journalists digging for truth?  Where are the journalists who present all sides of an issue so the reader can form their own opinion?

They are an extinct species.

Category:

Activism, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ticks, Transmission, Treatment

Antibiotics vs Herbs: One Doc’s Experience

https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/recovery-crystal-ball-of-odds-and-timelines

In my free Lyme Q&A Webinar called Conversations with Marty Ross MD, people ask me questions related to recovery. Here are some of those questions.

  • Do herbal antibiotics work?
  • Do prescription antibiotics work better than herbal antibiotics?
  • How long will it take me to recover from Bartonella, or Babesia, or Borrelia?
  • Can I recover from chronic Bartonella, Babesia or Borrelia?

Video Article

In the video in the top link, I answer these questions based on my extensive twenty year clinical experience treating persistent tick-borne infections like Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia using the best herbal and prescription antibiotic approaches. What I discuss is based on my experience. Unfortunately the research answering these questions is very limited or even non-existent.  (See link for article and video)

________________

**Comment**

Please remember, this is simply ONE practitioner’s experience.

Dr. Horowitz recommends treating Babesia for 9 months to a year.  I agree with this and it was our experience.

Regarding Lyme disease, I believe it has more to do with how long you have had it as well as how many other coinfections and comorbidities you have.  The more coinfections and comorbidites – the longer it’s probably going to take – particularly the older you are.  Mold, MCAS, allergies, etc. all play a large role in this a – and are as important as the infection(s).  

For reference, it took FIVE years of treatment followed by 3-4 relapses necessitating treatment before we reached ‘remission.’  Maintaining  the immune system is imperative and that means balancing hormones as well as minerals, vitamins, etc.  I guarantee you WILL NOT get better if you live in a moldy environment or do not deal with these other factors.  

For more:

Category:

Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Herbs, Lyme, Mycoplasma, Parasite Treatment, Rickettsia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tickborne Relapsing Fever, Toxoplasmosis, Treatment, Tularemia