Tick bite: what are the consequences?
A tick bite can lead to viral or bacterial diseases such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment options for these diseases after a tick bite here.
Tick bite that makes you sick
The danger of a tick bite is particularly great in forests and meadows, because that’s where the small arachnids like to lurk for their victims. Once they have struck, viruses and bacteria that are in the body of the tick can be transmitted to humans with the tick bite. Once in the human body, the pathogens can lead to various diseases.
Lyme disease after a tick bite
Lyme disease is an infectious disease. It can be triggered by a tick bite by certain intestinal bacteria of the tick, the Borrelia, which can get into the human body through the sucking process of the tick. Of all the diseases that occur after a tick bite, Lyme disease is the most common and can lead to meningitis, heart problems and joint inflammation. However, the risk of contracting Lyme disease can be reduced by quickly removing the tick , as this interrupts the suction process and thus the flow of bacteria.
Symptoms and therapy of Lyme disease
Lyme disease is clearly recognizable by a ring-shaped reddening of the skin around the tick bite, which can occur in the first stage of Lyme disease. It is also called “migratory blush” because it spreads further from the site of the tick bite and appears paler in the center than at the edges. Flu-like symptoms such as fever and joint pain can also occur. If the disease is not treated adequately or not at all, paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias or meningitis can also occur, which can progress to a chronic stage. If you suspect Lyme disease, you should definitely consult a doctor, because the later the disease is detected, the more difficult it is to fight it. In principle, the treatment is carried out with the administration of certain antibiotics.Lyme disease: all about the tick disease ”.
Neoehrlichiosis can also be caused by a tick bite. The bacterial disease occurs most frequently in Switzerland, especially in the greater Zurich area, in Austria and in Central European countries. Neo-ehrlichiosis only becomes noticeable one to two weeks after the tick bite through recurring high fever, weight loss and malaise. With the help of a rapid DNA test, the doctor can determine whether your child has neoehrlichiosis and prescribe an antibiotic in the event of an infection. The disease can be easily cured with antibiotics and is easier to treat than Lyme disease.
TBE after a tick bite
Viruses sometimes found in tick saliva can also be transmitted to humans through a tick bite. This can cause tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
In some areas the risk of contracting TBE after a tick bite is higher than in other regions. TBE risk areas are mainly found in the south of Germany, in Austria and in Switzerland. You can see which districts are currently included on the TBE map of the Robert Koch Institute . If you live with your child in one of these areas or go on holiday there, it is advisable to be vaccinated against TBE. You can find out everything you need to know about this in our article “FSME vaccination ”
Symptoms and therapy of TBE
In the first stage, tick-borne encephalitis is similar to flu, which is why it is often confused with one. Fever, headache and body aches may occur. In the second stage after a TBE-infected tick bite, the fever can subside after a week and rise again a few days later. There are also severe headaches, nausea, vomiting and a painful, stiff neck. These symptoms indicate an inflammation of the meninges that can spread to the entire brain. If the brain is affected, speech and swallowing disorders, paralysis of the entire body and disturbances of consciousness up to and including coma can occur. Medicines against the cause of the disease, the TBE virus, are not yet available. However, bed rest and painkillers can relieve symptoms. The prognosis is particularly favorable for children and adolescents and the disease usually heals without consequences. If your child was infected with TBE after a tick bite, there is lifelong immunity.
You can protect your child from a tick bite and protect it from diseases such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis. There are some protective measures that we have put together for you in the article ” Protection against ticks “. One of them is wearing long, light-colored clothing and closed-toe shoes. It also makes sense to check your child for ticks after an outdoor trip and remove them to prevent transmission of bacteria. Observe your child after a tick bite and go to the doctor if there are signs of illness such as fever or reddening caused by the tick bite!