Tick bite

Hi,

I recently got bitten by a tick.Within minutes I got this rash which after few hours turned into bulls-eye rash.I visited the doctor after 25 hrs of bite, who put me on Doxycycline antibiotic.
I read somewhere :
"The risk of developing Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick is only about 1% to 3%. On top of that, it takes at least 24 to 48 hours for the tick to transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. "

The tick was on me for maybe 1 hr or may be max 4 hrs. before I noticed it and removed it completely.Would the bacteria transmitted into my body.Is the bulls eye sure shot confirmation of LYME Disease ?

Thanks.

[gorbybelle]

The 'bulls-eye' rash is a sign of infection from a tick - I would want more than one week of antibiotics -  It is good that you have caught it in the early stage - not everyone with lyme disease ever sees a 'bulls-eye' rash or a tick - an improperly or untreated infection can lead to many health problems - some as severe as paralysis - I don't want to frighten you but you need to take this very seriously.

No-one is certain how long a tick has to be attached in order to transmit bacteria.

There is also the possibility of 'co-infection' - do plenty of research.

I am sure others  will give you plenty of advice - there are some very knowledgeable folks here .

Best wishes - gorbs

keep us posted.

[Nick17771]

Thanks for your reply.The anti-biotic course is for 10 days.

[JackieCalifornia]

I agree with Gorbybelle's comments.  I've never seen any studies as to why it supposedly takes a tick "X" hours to infect you.  I also have never seen any statements that you can't get malaria from a mosquito unless it bites you for at least "X" seconds.  Not logical in either case.

That you are getting doxy and did so so very promptly is very good news.  If you can get the MD to extend the treatment for a bit longer as Gorby suggests, might be worthwhile.  Better safe than sorry.

You might take a look at the ILADS -dot- org website for its 'Treatment Guidelines'.  Your MD may not put any value in them at all, since there is a war going on in the medical community over Lyme and its treatment.  Also there is, as Gorby says, concern over coinfections carried by the same ticks.

If your MD is not interested in any further analysis, you might think about seeing another MD, one who is ILADS-oriented (there's a referral function on their website) or just keep badgering your MD for more meds 'to be sure.'  I wouldn't mention the ILADS website to him tho, because non-ILADS MDs often do not take kindly to the fact you are referencing ILADS.  Like I said, there's a war going on, and we patients are caught in the crossfire.  

Let us know how you do and what happens, okay?  You're miles ahead of many of us, who never saw the tick that bit us.

[patsy10]

Hopefully you will be cured before you have any problems or symptoms.   Yes, a  bullseye rash is diagnostic in itself.

The treatment guidelines I have read state 3 weeks of antibiotics is need for early lyme.

[Nick17771]

Thanks guys for all your replies and advices !! I appreciate.

I checked with my doctor and she said that my rash didn't look like one for LYME's disease but still I will need to get my blood work done after three weeks to check again.
And also I will continue the antibiotics for three weeks atleast.
The rash seems to be vanishing.Hopefully it was a normal tick bite.

Thanks again.

Will keep posted