How many days should temperature be measured after a tick bite? - briefly
Check the body temperature each day for a minimum of 14 days following a tick bite; any fever within this period warrants prompt medical evaluation.
How many days should temperature be measured after a tick bite? - in detail
After a tick attaches, fever may be the first sign of infection. Monitoring should begin immediately and continue for the period during which most tick‑borne illnesses become symptomatic.
The typical window for fever onset is 3 to 21 days post‑exposure, depending on the pathogen. For Lyme disease, symptoms usually appear within 7‑14 days; for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the median is 5‑7 days; for ehrlichiosis, fever often starts around day 5‑10. Because the incubation ranges overlap, a conservative monitoring schedule is advisable.
Recommended temperature‑checking schedule
- Daily measurement from the day of the bite until day 14.
- If no fever is recorded by day 14, continue twice‑daily checks through day 21.
- Extend monitoring to day 28 if the bite occurred in an area endemic for late‑onset illnesses such as tick‑borne relapsing fever or babesiosis.
During the monitoring period, record the exact time, reading, and any accompanying symptoms (headache, rash, joint pain). Persistent or rising temperature after day 7 warrants immediate medical evaluation, regardless of the day count.
In summary, systematic temperature assessment for at least two weeks, with optional extension to four weeks in high‑risk regions, provides sufficient coverage to detect most acute febrile responses to tick bites.