Fever after a tick bite
introduction
Fever is a very general symptom which can basically indicate a reaction of the immune system. A fever can be caused by various infections. Inflammation spreading around the body can also cause a fever. In the event of a tick bite, the tick can transmit various pathogens on the one hand, and on the other hand the bite can ignite itself and thus lead to a reaction with fever. Depending on the cause, the fever should be treated symptomatically or causally.
Read more on the subject at: fever
causes
In the case of fever after a tick bite, different mechanisms can be the basis. The tick bite can inflame itself, which usually leads to local reddening, but can also spread as an inflammation in the body. A reaction to the spreading inflammation may be the fever. As a rule, however, it only occurs if the bite site becomes infected, for example, with germs that naturally occur on the skin.
An allergic reaction after the tick bite is less common. The bite site is typically itchy, causing swelling and reddening. Occasionally, a fever may occur as an expression of the general overreaction of the immune system.
Read more on the subject at: Tick bite itches
Typically, however, the fever after a tick bite is associated with a tick-borne illness. In Germany, ticks can transmit two types of pathogens: The TBE virus (early summer meningoencephalitis) can cause meningitis. Borrelia (bacteria) trigger the disease borreliosis.
A few days after the tick bite, both illnesses can be accompanied by unspecific symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, fatigue and exhaustion; they usually look like summer flu. In Lyme disease, the so-called wandering redness can also occur. The site of the bite turns red, then the reddening spreads in a circle. Occasionally, TBE and Borrelia infections result in severe brain diseases.
diagnosis
The anamnesis plays an important role in the diagnosis. The attending physician can find out whether there is a risk of a tick bite (staying in the forest, in tall grass, occupational exposure) or whether a tick has been discovered by the person concerned. The bite site should then be checked carefully for signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, overheating). In addition, warm regions such as the groin and armpits in particular should be examined for other ticks.
If an infection with Borrelia or TBE is suspected, laboratory tests should prove the pathogen. In adults, the fever is usually detected with a thermometer in the ear or under the tongue; in children, rectal temperature can also be measured. If the body temperature is above 38.5 ° C, one speaks of fever.
Other accompanying symptoms
If a fever occurs after a tick bite, this is usually a sign of an infection with Borrelia or TBE viruses. In the early phase of the disease there are usually flu-like symptoms with headache, joint and muscle pain as well as fatigue and reduced performance. Redness, swelling, overheating and pain also occur locally at the bite site.
In the case of Borrelia infection, the reddening can spread in the form of wandering redness, in the middle of the circle the skin usually becomes paler again. In the course of the disease there is usually a symptom-free interval, in most of those affected the disease heals at this stage. Rarely, a new fever with signs of meningitis (with TBE) or skin changes, nerve failure and pain as well as encephalitis occurs afterwards.
Read more on the subject at: Lyme disease symptoms
Pain
In most cases, a tick bite is not painful, which is why it is often not noticed immediately. However, if the bite site becomes inflamed, this can be accompanied by redness, overheating, swelling and pain. If the fever develops after a tick bite, it is not uncommon for headaches and body aches to occur.
Pain can also occur as a late consequence of an infection with Borrelia or TBE. In borreliosis, the nerves are attacked by the pathogens, causing nerve pain and failure. Infection with TBE viruses can cause meningitis with severe headache and neck pain.
Read more on the subject at: Signs of meningitis
a headache
Headache is a very common symptom and may not necessarily be related to a tick bite, although it does occur after a bite. Since tick bites are particularly common in the warm summer months, it is not uncommon for headaches to be caused by insufficient fluid intake and excessive sun exposure.
However, if a fever and headache (flu-like symptoms) occur a few days after the tick bite, a tick-borne infection may be the cause. In the late stage of infection with TBE or Borrelia, headache should be thought of as an inflammation of the brain (skin).
Read more on the subject at: Causes of headache
Body aches
If body pain and fever occur after a tick bite, the person should be tested for an infection with TBE and / or Borrelia. These tick-borne diseases are often characterized by flu-like symptoms after an incubation period of around one to two weeks. These include fever, headache, and body aches. If an infection with the pathogen is discovered, symptomatic therapy (medication for fever and pain) can be initiated for TBE, and causal therapy (antibiotics) for Lyme disease.
Read more on the subject at: TBE
When do I have to see a doctor?
With a tick bite, you don't necessarily have to see a doctor. However, if it is not possible to pull the tick out completely, the remains (the head often gets stuck in the skin or parts of the biting tool are still in the skin) should be removed by a doctor. Even if there are signs of inflammation at the bite site (redness, swelling, overheating, pain, functional restrictions in neighboring joints), you must see a doctor.
Generally speaking, if a fever is related to the tick bite, it is a sign that a doctor should be seen. Transmission of pathogens is not infrequently the cause of the complaints. You should see a doctor in particular if you have a circular reddening or other signs of TBE / Borrelia disease (skin symptoms, nerve pain, severe headache).
treatment
The most important step in the treatment of a tick bite is first the careful removal of the tick. Even a medical layperson can slowly remove the insect with specially developed tweezers or tick cards. The bite site should then be observed for a few weeks. If local discomfort occurs, the area can be cooled. In the event of redness and swelling (possibly also wandering redness) on the tick bite, a doctor should be consulted who can determine or rule out an infection with Borrelia or TBE.
The cause of the Borrelia infection can be treated with an antibiotic (doxycycline). As a rule, this leads to the disease healing without consequences, without the pathogens being able to spread in the body.
Read more on the subject at: Treatment of borreliosis
Infection with TBE viruses, on the other hand, can only be treated symptomatically with antipyretic and analgesic drugs. The TBE disease usually heals without any consequences, but severe complications with meningitis can also occur.
In order to avoid complications and illness with TBE, vaccination should be given early. The TBE vaccination is recommended in all risk areas (especially southern Germany, forest areas and meadows) as well as professionally exposed persons (foresters, farmers, etc.). The vaccination should be refreshed every three to five years.
Duration and forecast
The fever after a tick bite usually goes away after a few days. For most of those affected, underlying infections such as TBE or Lyme disease heal without any further consequences.
Occasionally, however, serious complications arise, such as the pathogen spreading to the brain. Nerve damage and brain inflammation develop, and Lyme disease can also affect the skin, heart and other organs. The further the disease progresses, the more dangerous it can become. In the pronounced stage, TBE and Lyme disease can be fatal.
Read more on the subject at: What can be the consequences of a tick bite?
Course of disease
Fever after a tick bite is usually an expression of an infection with TBE viruses or Borrelia.
TBE infection has two phases: After 7 to 14 days, flu-like symptoms with fever can appear. After a symptom-free phase, the fever rises again with meningitis.
Borreliosis, on the other hand, has three stages. In the first stage, local reddening of the bite occurs, fever, headache, pain in the limbs and itching can also occur. In stage II (early spread) acute nerve damage as well as heart muscle inflammation can occur. After months to years, the disease moves into the third stage (neuroborreliosis), with joint problems, skin changes and brain inflammation.
