tick bites: flu-like symptoms
overview
many of the diseases ticks pass to humans can cause flu-like symptoms, including:
- fever.
- headache.
- muscle aches (myalgia).
- a general feeling of illness (malaise).
- nausea and vomiting.
diseases ticks may pass to humans include:
- lyme disease. symptoms usually start 1 to 4 weeks after the tick bite, with up to 90% of people developing an expanding, circular red skin rash.
- rocky mountain spotted fever. symptoms usually start about 2 to 14 days after the tick bite.
- tularemia. symptoms usually start within 21 days (but average 1 to 10 days) after the tick bite or other exposure.
- ehrlichiosis. symptoms usually start from 1 to 21 days (average of 7 days) after the tick bite.
- relapsing fever. symptoms usually start 3 to 11 days (average of 6 days) after the tick bite.
- colorado tick fever. symptoms usually start within 14 days (average of 3 to 6 days) of the tick bite.
- babesiosis. symptoms usually start 1 to 6 weeks after the tick bite.
in some parts of the world, tick bites may cause other tick-borne diseases, such as south african tick-bite fever.
a doctor can evaluate the cause of your flu-like symptoms and recommend treatment.
credits
current as of: july 10, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
current as of: july 10, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
