What should be done if Borrelia is detected in a tick that bit? - briefly
«Doxycycline» 100 mg orally once daily for 10–14 days, started within 72 hours of the bite, constitutes the standard prophylactic regimen. Prompt medical evaluation and ongoing symptom monitoring are also required.
What should be done if Borrelia is detected in a tick that bit? - in detail
When a tick removed from a bite is found to contain Borrelia, immediate medical assessment is required. The clinician should confirm the species of tick and the presence of the pathogen, then evaluate the risk of Lyme disease transmission based on the duration of attachment, typically more than 36 hours.
A single dose of doxycycline (200 mg) is recommended for adults as prophylaxis, provided there are no contraindications such as pregnancy, allergy, or severe liver disease. Children weighing at least 15 kg may receive an age‑adjusted dose of doxycycline; otherwise, amoxicillin (500 mg) three times daily for ten days is an alternative. The antibiotic regimen must be initiated within 72 hours of the bite.
Baseline serologic testing for Borrelia antibodies should be performed to establish a reference point. Follow‑up testing is advised at 4–6 weeks and again at 3 months if symptoms develop. Patients must be instructed to monitor for early signs of infection, including erythema migrans, fever, headache, fatigue, arthralgia, or neurological manifestations, and to seek care promptly if any appear.
Documentation of the incident, including tick identification, detection method, prophylactic treatment, and patient counseling, must be recorded in the medical chart. Reporting to local public health authorities is advisable when regional surveillance programs are in place.
Long‑term vigilance includes periodic clinical reviews, especially for individuals with repeated exposure to tick habitats, to ensure timely detection and management of possible late‑stage Lyme disease.