What should you do if borreliosis is found in a tick? - briefly
Remove the tick with fine tweezers, disinfect the bite area, and seek medical evaluation for possible prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Prompt professional assessment lowers the risk of Lyme disease development.
What should you do if borreliosis is found in a tick? - in detail
If a tick is identified as carrying the Borrelia bacterium, immediate action is required to reduce infection risk.
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Safe removal – grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure, avoid crushing the body, and disinfect the bite site.
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Documentation – note the date of the bite, the attachment duration, and the tick’s developmental stage; retain the specimen for laboratory confirmation if possible.
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Medical evaluation – contact a healthcare professional promptly. Provide the documented information and request assessment for prophylactic treatment.
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Prophylactic antibiotics – when the bite occurred within 72 hours, the tick was attached for ≥ 36 hours, and the local incidence of Lyme disease exceeds 20 cases per 100 000 population, a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg) is recommended, unless contraindicated.
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Symptom monitoring – observe for erythema migrans, fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, or neurological signs for up to 30 days. Record any changes and report them without delay.
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Follow‑up testing – if symptoms develop, serologic testing for Borrelia antibodies should be performed; repeat testing may be necessary to confirm seroconversion.
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Preventive measures – use repellents containing DEET or picaridin, wear long sleeves and trousers in endemic areas, and perform regular tick checks after outdoor activities.
Adhering to these steps minimizes the likelihood of Lyme disease progression and facilitates timely treatment.