Tick-borne disease (patient information)
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Tick-borne diseases are transmitted by ticks. Hard and soft-bodied female ticks are believed to make a poison that can cause tick paralysis in children. While most ticks do not carry diseases, some can carry pathogens, including bacteria, virus or parasites, which may cause:
What are the symptoms of Tick-borne disease?
Watch for the following symptoms of tick-borne disease in the weeks following a tick bite:
- Muscle or joint aches
- Weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Flu-like symptoms
- Stiff neck
The symptoms below refer to the problems resulting from the bite itself, not the diseases that a bite may cause. Some of the symptoms may be specific of one kind of tick:
- Rash
- Blisters
- Swelling at bite site
- Severe pain at bite site lasting for several weeks
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncoordinated movement
What causes Tick-borne disease?
While most ticks do not carry diseases, some ticks may carry bacteria that can cause:
- Lyme disease (most common tick disease in the US)
Who is at highest risk?
People who spend time outdoors and/or have pets that go outdoors are at risk for tick-borne disease, particularly during the warm seasons.
Diagnosis
Signs and symptoms may be different according to the kind of tick and the transmitted disease. An example of a skin rash, following tick-bite, is the bull's eye rash from Lyme disease.
Prevention of Tick-borne disease
Avoid wooded or grassy fields, where ticks reside, particularly in warm seasons.
Treatment options
- Remove the tick carefully not to leave the tick's head stuck in the skin.
- If there is a collection of pus, the area will need to be incised and drained.
- Antibiotic treatment is often justified:
- Doxycycline to treat suspected tick-borne disease, such as Lyme disease
- IV dose of a cephalosporin followed by Keflex 500 mg PO q 6 hours to treat surrounding cellulitis
- Bactrim twice a day is given to cover Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospital workers
When to seek urgent medical care?
If you have symptoms of Tick-borne disease contact health care professional. Long-term treatment may be needed if complications develop. Preventive antibiotics are often given to people who live in areas where Lyme disease is common.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Most tick bites are harmless. The outcome will depend on:
- Kind of infection the tick may have transmitted
- Timing until treatment initiation
Where to find medical care for Tick-borne disease?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Tick-borne disease
Possible complications
Complications depend on the type of infection transmitted.