Summer Safety Guide: Infections You Can Catch from Bugs on a Casual Walk (6 photos)

“Don't touch the cat, you'll catch something!” is a phrase most of us grew up hearing. But warnings about tiny flying and crawling critters are far less common in temperate regions. We often assume that dangerous insect-borne diseases are strictly a tropical problem, but medical experts beg to differ. Here are five dangerous infections that our local biting, stinging, and blood-sucking creatures can pass on to us.





Fortunately, local mosquitoes are relatively harmless; beyond itchy welts, they rarely cause serious trouble. While malaria transmission remains theoretically possible in warmer southern regions, extensive prevention measures have made such cases extremely rare. Ticks, on the other hand, pose a genuine threat to your health—and can even be life-threatening.

Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis



Both of these conditions are transmitted by ticks. They share very similar symptoms and feature an incubation period of about two weeks. The onset is usually sudden, bringing on headaches, fever, coughing, nausea, abdominal pain, and occasionally even mental confusion.

In some cases—most commonly in children with ehrlichiosis—an itchy rash may develop. Although the illness can be severe, most patients make a full recovery. Still, catching either infection is no minor inconvenience: recovery takes a heavy toll on your daily routine, and the required medications can be quite expensive.

Lyme Disease





Lyme disease is another infection spread through tick bites. Its early stages closely resemble the flu, but symptoms quickly snowball to include joint aches, shooting pains in the limbs, irregular heart rhythms, and facial paralysis.

One key sign distinguishing Lyme disease from a common viral infection is a distinctive circular rash. This illness is treacherous: left untreated, it can lead to inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, often resulting in permanent disability or even death.

Tularemia



Tularemia is also spread by ticks—not just those found in fields and woods, but also ticks living on domestic dogs and cats. Fleas and, less commonly, flies can also carry the disease. An ulcer typically forms at the site of the bite where the infection entered the body. This is followed by high fever, swollen lymph nodes, profuse sweating, and severe fatigue.

Tularemia can progress to a pulmonary form, causing pneumonia. This is the most severe manifestation of the illness and can lead to lung abscesses. If left unchecked, it poses a direct threat to life. Fortunately, modern medicine effectively treats the condition—provided treatment begins promptly.

Babesiosis



Babesiosis is an infection that targets red blood cells. It is spread primarily by pasture ticks, with cattle and dogs acting as intermediate hosts for the parasite. The danger lies in its destructive effect on red blood cells, often without showing obvious initial symptoms.

In advanced stages, babesiosis can present as jaundice accompanied by a high fever. It is particularly dangerous because it can trigger hemolytic anemia—a potentially life-threatening condition.

Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever



As the name suggests, ticks are once again the culprit behind this illness. While it mimics flu-like symptoms, it is far more debilitating. The term “relapsing” reflects the disease's tendency to clear up, only to return unexpectedly time and time again.

The bacteria responsible are usually carried by soft ticks that do not remain attached after feeding; they bite, feed, and drop off, making the attack hard to notice. However, if you develop a fever, runny nose, cough, or joint pain a few days after a summer trek through the woods or fields, seek medical care and get tested. Prompt treatment clears up the infection quickly.

Sometimes, you don't even need to venture outdoors to encounter disease-carrying pests—they can lie in wait right inside your home, or even in your bed.