Introduction
Fever is a very general symptom that can basically indicate a reaction of the immune system. Fever can be caused by various infections. Inflammations that spread through the body can also cause fever. In the case of a tick bite, on the one hand the tick can transmit various pathogens, on the other hand the bite itself can also become inflamed and thus lead to a reaction with fever. Depending on the cause, the fever should be treated symptomatically or causally.
Causes
Fever after a tick bite can have different mechanisms. For example, the tick bite itself can become inflamed, this usually leads to local redness, but can also spread as an inflammation in the body. A reaction to the spreading inflammation can be fever.
As a rule, however, it only occurs if the bite site is infected with germs that occur naturally on the skin, for example. More rarely, an allergic reaction can occur after the tick bite. Typically, the bite site itches, causing swelling and redness.
As an expression of the general overreaction of the immune system, a fever may occasionally occur. However, fever after a tick bite is typically associated with tick-borne disease. In Germany, ticks can transmit two types of pathogens: the TBE virus (early summer meningoencephalitis) can cause meningitis.
The Borrelia (bacteria) cause the disease Lyme disease. Both diseases can be accompanied by unspecific symptoms such as fever, headaches and aching limbs, tiredness and exhaustion a few days after the tick bite; they usually impress like summer flu. In the case of Lyme disease, the so-called wandering blush can also occur. The bite site reddens, then the redness spreads in a circle. Occasionally, severe brain diseases develop from the TBE and Borrelia infections.
Diagnosis
The anamnesis plays an important role in the diagnosis. Here the attending physician can find out whether there is a risk of a tick bite (stay in the forest, in tall grass, occupational exposure) or whether a tick has been detected by the person concerned. The bite site should then be checked closely for signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, overheating).
In addition, especially warm regions such as the groin and armpits should be examined for further ticks. If an infection with Borrelia or TBE is suspected, laboratory tests should detect the pathogens. The fever in adults is usually detected with a thermometer in the ear or under the tongue, in children rectal temperature can also be measured. If the body temperature is above 38.5°C, this is called fever.
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