HomeAnswersPediatricstick biteMy 4-year-old son got bitten by a tick two months ago. Did it transmit Lyme disease and rickettsia?

Can a tick bite transmit Lyme disease and rickettsia to my 4-year-old son?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At July 3, 2022
Reviewed AtSeptember 24, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My son is 4 years old and was bitten by a tick a couple of months ago. He was interpreted with a rickettsia, which is a high-grade fever rash. He was asked to take a Josamycin antibiotic for two weeks. Then he was fine for a few weeks. However, today he has had a high-grade fever for the past 10 hours with knee pain for no reason. We suspect the tick bite may have transferred Lyme disease and rickettsia as a coinfection, and now Lyme disease took some months to appear. What is your suggestion, doctor?

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please do an IgG (immunoglobulin G) western blot test to confirm Lyme disease. The knee pain and fever may be a late manifestation of Lyme disease. Further management will depend on the reports. As of now, I suggest you can give (consult with a specialist doctor, talk with him or her and take medicines with their consent) tablet Paracetamol (dose as per the child's weight) twice a day for the knee pain.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Faisal Abdul Karim Malim
Dr. Faisal Abdul Karim Malim

Pediatrics

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Pediatrics

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy