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Tick Bites: Flu-Like Symptoms
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.
Current as of: November 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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