After a tick bite, fever rose: what should you do? - briefly
Seek immediate medical evaluation to diagnose possible tick‑borne infections and begin appropriate antibiotic therapy if indicated. Meanwhile, remove the tick with fine tweezers, clean the bite site with antiseptic, and continue monitoring the fever.
After a tick bite, fever rose: what should you do? - in detail
When a tick attachment is followed by an elevated temperature, prompt evaluation is essential. First, detach the arthropod with fine‑point tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling upward with steady pressure. Disinfect the bite site and surrounding area. Record the date of the bite, the tick’s developmental stage (larva, nymph, adult) and any visible signs of attachment.
Next, assess clinical manifestations. In addition to fever, watch for:
- Headache or neck stiffness
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Rash, especially a red expanding lesion or a target‑shaped pattern
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort
- Neurological symptoms such as tingling, weakness, or confusion
If any of these appear, or if fever persists beyond 48 hours, obtain medical care without delay. A clinician will likely:
- Perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on the bite area and systemic signs.
- Order laboratory tests, which may include complete blood count, liver function panel, and serologic assays for tick‑borne pathogens (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Babesia spp.).
- Initiate empiric antimicrobial therapy when indicated. Doxycycline is the first‑line agent for most bacterial tick‑borne infections and should be started within 24 hours of symptom onset, unless contraindicated.
- Provide supportive treatment for fever and pain, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, while avoiding aspirin in children.
If laboratory results confirm a specific infection, adjust therapy according to pathogen‑specific guidelines (e.g., ceftriaxone for neurologic Lyme disease, atovaquone plus azithromycin for babesiosis). Follow‑up appointments are necessary to monitor treatment response and to detect late complications.
Prevention of future incidents includes wearing long sleeves and pants in tick‑infested habitats, applying EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET or picaridin, performing daily body checks, and promptly removing any attached ticks. Maintaining awareness of regional tick activity seasons enhances early detection and reduces the risk of severe illness.