What illness does a person get after a tick bite? - briefly
The bite most commonly transmits Lyme disease, an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Other tick‑borne illnesses include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and tick‑borne encephalitis.
What illness does a person get after a tick bite? - in detail
A tick bite can transmit several pathogens, each causing a distinct clinical syndrome. The most common condition is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which leads to Lyme disease. Early manifestations include a circular skin lesion (erythema migrans), fever, headache, and fatigue. If untreated, the infection may progress to arthritis, facial nerve palsy, and carditis. Diagnosis relies on serologic testing for specific antibodies; doxycycline for 10–21 days is the standard therapy.
Other notable illnesses include:
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Rickettsia rickettsii; symptoms appear 2–14 days after exposure and feature high fever, rash that starts on wrists and ankles, and severe headache. Prompt treatment with doxycycline for 7–14 days reduces mortality.
- Anaplasmosis – Anaplasma phagocytophilum; presents with fever, chills, myalgia, and leukopenia within 1–2 weeks. Doxycycline for 10 days is effective.
- Ehrlichiosis – Ehrlichia chaffeensis; similar to anaplasmosis but often includes elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia. Doxycycline for 7–14 days is recommended.
- Babesiosis – Babesia microti; causes hemolytic anemia, fever, and chills, typically 1–4 weeks post‑bite. Treatment combines atovaquone and azithromycin; severe cases may require exchange transfusion.
- Tularemia – Francisella tularensis; presents with ulcerated skin lesion, regional lymphadenopathy, and systemic symptoms within 3–5 days. Streptomycin or gentamicin constitute first‑line therapy.
- Tick‑borne relapsing fever – Borrelia spp.; characterized by recurrent fevers separated by afebrile intervals, occurring 5–15 days after exposure. Tetracycline or doxycycline for 7–10 days is standard.
- Powassan virus disease – a flavivirus; leads to encephalitis or meningitis within 1 week of bite, with symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and focal neurological deficits. No specific antiviral therapy exists; supportive care is essential.
Risk assessment depends on geographic location, tick species, and duration of attachment. Prompt removal of the tick reduces pathogen transmission; the longer the attachment, the higher the likelihood of infection. Preventive measures include wearing protective clothing, applying EPA‑registered repellents, and conducting thorough body checks after outdoor activities. Vaccination is available only for tick‑borne encephalitis in certain regions; no vaccine exists for the other diseases listed.