What should you do when borreliosis is detected in a tick? - briefly
Remove the tick with fine tweezers, place it in a sealed container for laboratory analysis, and obtain medical evaluation for possible prophylactic doxycycline within 72 hours of the bite. If testing confirms Borrelia infection, follow the prescribed antibiotic course and monitor for any emerging symptoms.
What should you do when borreliosis is detected in a tick? - in detail
When a tick removed from a patient tests positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, the response must be swift and systematic.
The first step is to confirm the identification of the tick species and the date of attachment. Precise documentation of the bite site, duration of attachment, and the laboratory result is essential for risk assessment.
Subsequent actions include:
- Immediate consultation with a healthcare professional experienced in vector‑borne infections.
- Evaluation of prophylactic antibiotic therapy according to established criteria:
- Prescription of a single dose of doxycycline 200 mg (or an appropriate alternative regimen) when all criteria are satisfied.
- If prophylaxis is not indicated, schedule serologic testing (ELISA followed by Western blot) at 2–4 weeks post‑exposure to detect seroconversion.
- Educate the patient on early signs of Lyme disease—erythema migrans, fever, headache, arthralgia, and fatigue—and instruct immediate reporting of any symptoms.
- Arrange follow‑up appointments at 1 month and 3 months to reassess clinical status and repeat serology if necessary.
Throughout the process, maintain meticulous records of all interventions, laboratory findings, and patient communications to ensure traceability and optimal clinical outcomes.