Tick-borne disease (patient information): Difference between revisions
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| [[Image:Lyme-1.jpg|thumb|none|150px|Lyme disease often appears as a "bull's-eye" rash around the site on the skin where there has been a tick bite.]] | |||
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Tick-borne disease|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Tick-borne disease|here]]''' | ||
{{Tick-borne disease (patient information)}} | |||
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{JS}} | |||
== Overview == | |||
Tick-borne diseases are transmitted by ticks. Hard and soft-bodied female ticks are believed to make a [[poison]] that can cause [[tick paralysis]] in children. | |||
While most ticks do not carry diseases, some can carry [[pathogens]], including [[bacteria]], [[virus]] or [[parasites]], which may cause: | |||
* [[Colorado tick fever]] | |||
* [[Lyme disease]] | |||
* [[Rocky Mountain spotted fever]] | |||
* [[Tularemia]] | |||
== What are the symptoms of Tick-borne disease? == | |||
Watch for the following [[symptoms]] of [[tick-borne disease]] in the weeks following a [[tick bite]]: | |||
* [[Rash]] | |||
* [[Skin ulcer]] | |||
* [[Fever]]/ [[chills]] | |||
* [[Headache]] | |||
* [[Muscle]] or [[joint aches]] | |||
* [[Weakness]] | |||
* [[Swollen lymph nodes]] | |||
* Flu-like [[symptoms]] | |||
* [[Stiff neck]] | |||
The [[symptoms]] below refer to the problems resulting from the bite itself, not the diseases that a bite may cause. Some of the [[symptoms]] may be specific of one kind of tick: | |||
* [[Rash]] | |||
* [[Blisters]] | |||
* [[Swelling]] at bite site | |||
* Severe [[pain]] at bite site lasting for several weeks | |||
* [[Weakness]] | |||
* [[Difficulty breathing]] | |||
* Uncoordinated movement | |||
== What causes Tick-borne disease? == | |||
While most ticks do not carry diseases, some ticks may carry [[bacteria]] that can cause: | |||
* [[Lyme disease]] (most common tick disease in the US) | |||
* [[Colorado tick fever]] | |||
* [[Rocky Mountain spotted fever]] | |||
* [[Tularemia]] | |||
== Who is at highest risk? == | |||
People who spend time outdoors and/or have pets that go outdoors are at risk for tick-borne disease, particularly during the warm seasons. | |||
== Diagnosis == | |||
[[Signs]] and [[symptoms]] may be different according to the kind of tick and the transmitted disease. An example of a [[skin rash]], following tick-bite, is the ''bull's eye'' rash from [[Lyme disease]]. | |||
== | == Prevention of Tick-borne disease == | ||
Avoid wooded or grassy fields, where ticks reside, particularly in warm seasons. | |||
== Treatment options == | |||
{| style="float: right;" | |||
| [[Image:Tick removal.png|thumb|none|150px|Tick removal technique]] | |||
|} | |||
* Remove the tick carefully not to leave the tick's head stuck in the skin. | |||
* If there is a collection of [[pus]], the area will need to be incised and drained. | |||
* [[Antibiotic]] treatment is often justified: | |||
:* [[Doxycycline]] to treat suspected [[tick-borne disease]], such as [[Lyme disease]] | |||
:* [[IV]] [[dose]] of a [[cephalosporin]] followed by [[Keflex]] 500 mg PO q 6 hours to treat surrounding [[cellulitis]] | |||
:* [[Bactrim]] twice a day is given to cover [[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]] ([[MRSA]]) in hospital workers | |||
== | == When to seek urgent medical care? == | ||
If you have [[symptoms]] of [[Tick-borne disease]] contact health care professional. Long-term [[Therapy|treatment]] may be needed if [[complications]] develop. Preventive [[antibiotics]] are often given to people who live in areas where [[Lyme disease]] is common. | |||
[[ | |||
== | == What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis) == | ||
Most [[tick bites]] are harmless. The outcome will depend on: | |||
* Kind of [[infection]] the tick may have transmitted | |||
* Timing until treatment initiation | |||
== | == Where to find medical care for Tick-borne disease? == | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Tick-borne disease}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Tick-borne disease] | |||
== | == Possible complications == | ||
[[Complications]] depend on the type of [[infection]] transmitted. | |||
== | == Sources == | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002856.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002856.htm | ||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Lyme disease]] | |||
[[Category:Zoonoses]] | |||
[[Category:Spirochaetes]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
Latest revision as of 18:56, 18 September 2017
 |
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
Tick-borne disease |
|
Tick-borne disease On the Web |
|---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Tick-borne diseases are transmitted by ticks. Hard and soft-bodied female ticks are believed to make a poison that can cause tick paralysis in children. While most ticks do not carry diseases, some can carry pathogens, including bacteria, virus or parasites, which may cause:
What are the symptoms of Tick-borne disease?
Watch for the following symptoms of tick-borne disease in the weeks following a tick bite:
- Rash
- Skin ulcer
- Fever/ chills
- Headache
- Muscle or joint aches
- Weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Flu-like symptoms
- Stiff neck
The symptoms below refer to the problems resulting from the bite itself, not the diseases that a bite may cause. Some of the symptoms may be specific of one kind of tick:
- Rash
- Blisters
- Swelling at bite site
- Severe pain at bite site lasting for several weeks
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncoordinated movement
What causes Tick-borne disease?
While most ticks do not carry diseases, some ticks may carry bacteria that can cause:
- Lyme disease (most common tick disease in the US)
- Colorado tick fever
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tularemia
Who is at highest risk?
People who spend time outdoors and/or have pets that go outdoors are at risk for tick-borne disease, particularly during the warm seasons.
Diagnosis
Signs and symptoms may be different according to the kind of tick and the transmitted disease. An example of a skin rash, following tick-bite, is the bull's eye rash from Lyme disease.
Prevention of Tick-borne disease
Avoid wooded or grassy fields, where ticks reside, particularly in warm seasons.
Treatment options
 |
- Remove the tick carefully not to leave the tick's head stuck in the skin.
- If there is a collection of pus, the area will need to be incised and drained.
- Antibiotic treatment is often justified:
- Doxycycline to treat suspected tick-borne disease, such as Lyme disease
- IV dose of a cephalosporin followed by Keflex 500 mg PO q 6 hours to treat surrounding cellulitis
- Bactrim twice a day is given to cover Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospital workers
When to seek urgent medical care?
If you have symptoms of Tick-borne disease contact health care professional. Long-term treatment may be needed if complications develop. Preventive antibiotics are often given to people who live in areas where Lyme disease is common.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Most tick bites are harmless. The outcome will depend on:
- Kind of infection the tick may have transmitted
- Timing until treatment initiation
Where to find medical care for Tick-borne disease?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Tick-borne disease
Possible complications
Complications depend on the type of infection transmitted.