TICK BITES
Q: I’m confused about when to get checked for tick bites. Any advice?
A: There have been several stories of bad tick outcomes that have recently hit the news. Early recognition of tick borne infection with prompt treatment is the key to a good outcome. Here in Missouri, ticks are most common in spring and summer- so it is the season. The classic Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) infection symptoms are fever, rash and tick bite history. However, 10% of those infected have no history of tick bites, at all. The incubation period for both RMSF and ehrlichiosis (the two most common tick-related infections in our region) is usually about 10 days from the time of the bite to infection. Fever is generally high grade and you may have a headache, vomiting and muscle aches. The rash of RMSF usually occurs on day three after the illness starts. Ehrlichiosis rash doesn’t occur until day five. Testing for the diseases will not become positive for several days after the infection starts, so you really can’t depend on testing early on. Other testing may give you a clue, such as low platelets, elevation of liver enzymes and white blood cell count increases. Doxycycline is the drug of choice, and will not cause staining of the teeth in young children. This treatment will cause symptoms to go away within three days after starting it.
Dr. Rick Casey
Questions can be submitted directly to the providers, called in to Mercy Clinic at 417/876-5851 or submitted through their new App mymercy.net.
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