What should be done if a fever of 38°C develops after a tick bite? - briefly
Obtain prompt medical assessment to identify a possible tick‑borne infection and begin appropriate therapy, commonly doxycycline for bacterial causes. Continue temperature monitoring and inform the clinician of any symptom progression.
What should be done if a fever of 38°C develops after a tick bite? - in detail
When a temperature reaches 38 °C after a tick attachment, immediate removal of the arthropod is essential. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑tipped tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure, and avoid crushing the body. After extraction, cleanse the bite site with an antiseptic solution and store the tick in a sealed container for possible identification.
Prompt medical assessment is required. Contact a healthcare professional without delay; provide details about the bite location, duration of attachment, and the onset of fever. The clinician will likely order serologic tests for common tick‑borne pathogens (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum) and may request a complete blood count to detect inflammatory changes.
Therapeutic measures include:
- Administration of an appropriate antibiotic regimen, commonly doxycycline, unless contraindicated.
- Use of antipyretic agents such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control temperature and relieve discomfort.
- Maintenance of adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
- Observation for rash, joint pain, neurological symptoms, or worsening fever, which may indicate disease progression.
Continued monitoring is critical. Schedule follow‑up visits to reassess clinical status and repeat laboratory testing if initial results are inconclusive. Seek emergency care if any of the following develop: temperature exceeds 39 °C, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, or rapid deterioration of condition.