If you have a fever after a tick bite, what should you do? - briefly
Contact a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation and possible treatment of a tick‑borne infection; early antibiotic therapy can prevent serious complications. Meanwhile, keep the bite site clean, monitor the fever, and avoid self‑medicating without medical guidance.
If you have a fever after a tick bite, what should you do? - in detail
A fever that appears after a tick attachment signals possible infection and requires prompt action.
First, stop the tick if it is still attached. Grasp the head or mouthparts with fine‑tipped tweezers, pull straight upward, and clean the bite site with alcohol or soap and water.
Next, evaluate the clinical picture. Record the temperature, onset time, and any accompanying signs such as rash, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, or nausea.
Seek professional medical evaluation if any of the following are present:
- Fever ≥ 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) persisting more than 24 hours
- Expanding red area or bull’s‑eye rash around the bite
- Severe headache, neck stiffness, or photophobia
- Confusion, dizziness, or difficulty breathing
- Persistent vomiting or abdominal pain
When a clinician assesses the case, they will typically:
- Review exposure history (geographic region, duration of attachment).
- Perform physical examination focusing on skin lesions and neurologic status.
- Order laboratory tests, which may include complete blood count, liver function panel, and serologic assays for tick‑borne pathogens (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia).
- Initiate empiric antimicrobial therapy if the presentation suggests Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, or other serious infections. Doxycycline is often the first‑line agent for adult patients, administered twice daily for 10–21 days depending on the identified organism.
If laboratory confirmation is unavailable but suspicion remains high, start treatment promptly; delays increase risk of complications such as meningitis, cardiac involvement, or chronic arthritis.
After therapy begins, monitor temperature and symptom progression daily. Report any worsening or new signs to a health professional immediately.
Prevent further incidents by using EPA‑registered repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants in tick‑infested areas, and performing thorough body checks after outdoor activities. Regularly inspect pets and treat them with veterinary‑approved tick control products.
By following these steps, the risk of severe disease following a febrile response to a tick bite is minimized.