According to the CDC Lyme disease is the most common vector borne illness in the United States and can cause some serious problems for its victims.  Unfortunately there are at least a dozen other bacterial infections (some deadly) that can be transmitted as well. The media has discussed tick transmitted illnesses in fictional television shows, educational shows, and the news, but are they reliable?

Source 1: House (fictional television show)

Claims by Show:

• Ticks can cause paralysis and it can be instantly cured by removal of the tick
• Death can result from cardiac arrest

According to Tick Paralysis by Edlow and Mcgillicuddy tick paralysis is cured by removing the tick.  The article researched accounts as far back as 1824 and found 2 recorded deaths out of Washington state. This situation is extremely rare and usually found in livestock were infestations occur.  It usually occurs in young girls which the tv show used but unlike the show the heart is not affected. Death occurs from respiratory paralysis.  After reading the article, the show clearly did its homework but maybe switched the cause of death to make things more suspenseful. 

Source 2: Appalachian Trail Conservancy (Educational)

This video talked about people getting tick bites, Lyme disease infection, and prevention. It was informative and interesting as it utilized interviews from first hand accounts. The video was extremely informative and is backed by the research of Prevention of Tick-Bourne Illness by Gutiérrez & Decker and Lyme Disease by E Sharpio including: 

• Symptoms such as fatigue, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, and less often, fever
• Prevention
  • Deet
  • Permethrin
  • Clothing

Source 3: CBS News (Informational)

CBS used everything from the CDC website.  They were correct on all their statements which Prevention of Tick-Bourne Illness by Gutiérrez & Decker and Lyme Disease by E Sharpio confirm:

• Pulling ticks off with tweezers is best by removal
• Ticks carry many serious diseases, not just Lyme.
• To help prevent tick bites:
  • Wear deet repellant
  • Mice are reservoirs 
  • Tuck pants into boots or socks
  • Avoiding tall grass and performing tick checks

CBS failed to portray were ticks are distributed as well as other species of ticks which cause harm to humans and their pets. However, this could be overlooked by their main message of ticks being located were you live and that you should take preventative measures to protect your loved ones and yourself.

Bottom Line:

Aside from the tv show House not putting out the proper information on a symptom,  the main message from all three media sources  is clear: ticks can be a very serious threat to our health. However, with easy preventative measures, nobody should be afraid of going outside!

References

• CDC, NCEZID (2019, November 4). Ticks. Retrieved February 19, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/
• Edlow, J., & Mcgillicuddy, D. (2008). Tick Paralysis. Infectious Disease Clinics of NorthAmerica, 22(3), 397-413.
• Gutiérrez, R., & Decker, C. (2012). Prevention of Tick-Borne Illness. Disease-a-Month, 58(6), 377-387.
• Shapiro, E. (2014). Lyme Disease. The New England Journal of Medicine, 370(18), 1724-1731.