Raymond King: "July and August is the height of the tick season and also nearing the height of the time when we get the tick born diseases."

The North Georgia Health District is already fairly busy with tick-born illness. There are currently three cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the six county district. King had that disease earlier in life and remembers how quickly the symptoms came on.

King: "I went to bed one night at 10:00pm and I woke up at 1:00am and felt like a train had hit me."

Georgia health departments all cooperated in a state-wide study of ticks and what diseases they carry. Although the results aren't out yet, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is one of the most common tick-born diseases in our area. It can be fatal if left untreated.

King: "If you think you may have a tick-born disease it is critical to get to a physician at once. Don't delay."

But prevention is the best medicine. Larry Chasteen makes sure his family is safe from ticks. That even includes the littlest member.

Chasteen: "The more you can control it on the pets, the better off you're going to be as well because the kids are around the pets all day long."

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from ticks is exactly the same as mosquitoes.... Remember to use a bug spray with DEET before heading outdoors.

Larry Chasteen:"You never know where they're going to be at, when they're going to show up on you."

Tuck your pants into your socks so ticks can't crawl in, especially if you're in a wooded area. And always check over your skin when you get back inside.

King: "I've stood in people's lawns and seen ticks crawl over my shoes just from the grass. "

Don't forget to check your children and pets, too. In Dalton AK WDEF News12.