I found out the hard way what the ticks are carrying. I was relay sick, fever, chills and sweat like crazy, HEAD ACH even my hair hurt (lol) and body aches. Not only did I get Lyme I also got,  Babesiosis - It's a type of Malaria, you get from ticks. This is what made me sick. So if your in the New England aera, check yourself now and then.  This is something you do not want. Here is a link to information on it.   http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic49.htm