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39 South River Road Bedford, NH, 03110

Tick-Borne Illnesses in New Hampshire: What Every Family Should Know

  • Writer: Lisa Berge
    Lisa Berge
  • Aug 26
  • 2 min read

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Living in New Hampshire means enjoying beautiful trails, lakes, and outdoor activities. But it also means higher exposure to ticks — and with ticks comes the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. At PriorityDirectMED in Bedford, NH, we want to help families stay safe, recognize early warning signs, and know when to seek care.

Why Tick-Borne Illness Is a Concern in New Hampshire

  • New England is one of the top regions in the country for Lyme disease cases.

  • Blacklegged ticks (also called deer ticks) are the primary carriers.

  • Tick season in New Hampshire runs from spring through late fall, but risk continues year-round in mild winters.

Common Tick-Borne Illnesses in NH

1. Lyme Disease

  • Early signs: rash (often “bullseye”), fever, fatigue, body aches.

  • If untreated, can lead to joint pain, neurological symptoms, and heart problems.

2. Anaplasmosis

  • Symptoms: fever, headache, chills, muscle aches.

3. Babesiosis

  • Symptoms: flu-like illness, fatigue, anemia in severe cases.

4. Powassan Virus (rare, but serious)

  • Can cause severe neurological complications.

What To Do If You Find a Tick

  1. Remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.

  2. Clean the bite area with soap and water or alcohol.

  3. Note the date and monitor for symptoms (rash, fever, fatigue).

  4. Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms develop — early treatment is key.

When to Seek Medical Care

Come see us at PriorityDirectMED in Bedford if you experience:

  • Rash (especially a bullseye pattern)

  • Unexplained fever, chills, or muscle aches

  • Fatigue that doesn’t improve

  • Joint pain or swelling

We can evaluate your symptoms, order lab tests if needed, and start treatment quickly.

👉 Learn more about our urgent care services for same-day care.

Tick Bite Prevention Tips

  • Use EPA-registered repellents (like DEET or permethrin-treated clothing).

  • Wear long sleeves/pants and light-colored clothing when hiking.

  • Perform full-body tick checks after outdoor activities.

  • Check pets — dogs and cats can bring ticks inside.

For more prevention tips, see the CDC Lyme Disease resource.

Local, Accessible Care in Bedford, NH

At PriorityDirectMED Primary & Urgent Care, patients are our priority. We offer:

  • Same-day visits for tick concerns and Lyme testing

  • Insurance + direct primary care membership options

  • Personalized treatment and preventive care

📍 Visit us at 39 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110📞 Call 603-265-8014 to schedule or walk in today

PriorityDirectMED — Patients Are the Priority.

 
 
 

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