What can happen from a tick? - briefly
A tick bite can transmit bacterial, viral, or parasitic agents such as «Lyme disease», Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis, producing fever, rash, joint pain, or neurological impairment. Prompt removal and professional medical assessment markedly lower the chance of severe complications.
What can happen from a tick? - in detail
Ticks serve as carriers of a wide range of pathogens. A bite can introduce microorganisms directly into the bloodstream, leading to acute illness or chronic health problems.
Common infectious agents transmitted by ticks include:
- «Lyme disease» – caused by Borrelia burgdorferi; early symptoms comprise erythema migrans, fever, headache, and fatigue; untreated infection may progress to arthritis, carditis, or neurological deficits.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Rickettsia rickettsii infection; presents with fever, rash, and severe headache; complications involve organ failure and death if therapy is delayed.
- Anaplasmosis – Anaplasma phagocytophilum; produces fever, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia; can lead to respiratory distress or myocardial involvement.
- Ehrlichiosis – Ehrlichia chaffeensis; similar to anaplasmosis with possible liver dysfunction and severe sepsis.
- Babesiosis – Babesia microti; hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, and splenomegaly; high mortality in immunocompromised patients.
- Powassan virus – flavivirus causing encephalitis; rapid onset of neurological impairment, sometimes fatal.
- Tularemia – Francisella tularensis; ulceroglandular form produces necrotic skin lesions and lymphadenopathy; systemic spread may result in pneumonia or sepsis.
- Southern tick‑associated rash illness (STARI) – erythema resembling Lyme rash; generally self‑limited but may cause prolonged fatigue.
Non‑infectious outcomes also arise from tick attachment:
- Localized skin irritation, redness, and swelling at the bite site.
- Allergic reactions ranging from mild urticaria to anaphylaxis.
- Tick‑induced paralysis, a neurotoxic condition that manifests as progressive weakness; removal of the tick resolves symptoms.
Long‑term sequelae may develop after initial infection:
- Chronic Lyme arthritis, characterized by persistent joint swelling despite antibiotic therapy.
- Neuroborreliosis, presenting with peripheral neuropathy, cognitive deficits, or meningitis.
- Post‑treatment Lyme disease syndrome, marked by lingering fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and neurocognitive disturbances.
Early detection and prompt antimicrobial treatment reduce the risk of severe complications. Regular skin examinations after outdoor exposure, proper tick removal techniques, and use of repellents constitute effective preventive measures.