22: The Smartest Doctor in the Room with Dean Mitchell, MD - Episode 2222: The Smartest Doctor in the Room with Dean Mitchell, MD - Episode 22
UK Health Radio Podcast
Dr Dean Mitchell talks with Dr Saravanan Thangamani about how ticks spread Lyme disease and other infections, why cases are rising, and what practical steps may reduce risk. The conversation focuses on tick testing, prevention strategies, and concerns about co-infections and rare but serious viruses like Powassan.
43:42•10 Nov 2026
Tiny Terrors: Dr Dean Mitchell and Dr Saravanan Thangamani on Tick-Borne Disease Risks
Episode Overview
- Tick-borne diseases are increasing due to climate factors, human behaviour and improved diagnostics.
- A single tick can carry multiple pathogens, including Lyme bacteria, Babesia, anaplasma and Powassan virus.
- Old assumptions about needing 24–48 hours of tick attachment to transmit Lyme disease are questioned; any bite should be treated as potentially risky.
- Saving and testing the tick after removal can provide valuable information to guide clinical decisions, even though tests are not formally approved.
- Personal protective measures such as permethrin-treated clothing, suitable repellents, path choices and regular checks of pets are key to prevention.
“Do not ignore it. Do not just flush it. Do not throw it. Have it get tested.”
What drives someone to seek a life without avoidable illness? This chat on UK Health Radio’s *The Smartest Doctor in the Room* zooms in on something tiny but terrifyingly relevant to anyone who spends time outdoors: ticks and the infections they spread. Host Dr Dean Mitchell talks with tick-borne disease expert Dr Saravanan Thangamani, a professor of microbiology and immunology and director of a centre for vector-borne diseases.
The tone is relaxed and conversational, but the content is very practical, aimed at people who want straight answers on real health risks rather than vague reassurances. You’ll hear Dr Thangamani explain the tick life cycle in plain language, including why deer and mice are so central to Lyme disease spread. He notes that “ticks are emerging, definitely” and that climate, human behaviour, and better diagnostics all play a part in rising tick-borne illnesses.
There’s clear discussion of co-infections too, such as Babesia, anaplasma and Powassan virus, with the warning that “a single tick can actually give multiple disease-causing agents.” The episode is especially useful if you’re confused about what to do after a tick bite. Dr Thangamani strongly advises saving the tick for testing: “Do not ignore it. Do not just flush it. Do not throw it.
Have it get tested.” He also challenges the old 24–48 hour safety rule, arguing it’s safer to assume risk regardless of feeding time. Practical prevention tips come thick and fast: treating outdoor clothing with permethrin, using appropriate repellents, sticking to the centre of paths, and remembering that pets are “tick magnets” that can carry ticks into the home.
If you’re keen to protect your health and want science-based, jargon-light guidance on tick-borne diseases, this conversation offers a clear, no-nonsense look at the risks and what you can actually do about them. How often are you checking yourself and your pets after a day outside?
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