Symptoms in a 4-Year-Old Following Tick Exposure
Recently, my 4-year-old son and I visited our hunting lodge in Georgia. We engaged in various outdoor tasks, and I made it a routine to inspect for ticks every evening after our showers. Our final check took place on July 19th at 8 PM, showing no signs of ticks. We returned home early on July 20th. However, by July 21st at 8 PM, I discovered a tick on his inner thigh. His grandmother noticed it in the morning but mistook it for a scrape rather than a tick. I suspect it could have been attached for over 24 hours. Typically, I wouldn’t be overly concerned with a tick bite, but considering the duration of attachment, I opted for testing, which cost around $300. By July 24th, my son displayed signs of irritability and mentioned having a sore throat. While I leaned toward a viral infection as the cause, he had just recovered from a similar illness a few days earlier. Since then, he has continued to complain about his throat, appearing more irritable, and has shown increased fatigue. His temperature has hovered around 100.8 to 101 degrees since the evening of July 25th. Notably, my wife and our two other children have remained healthy. The test results indicated a positive result for Rickettsia or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, while other tests returned negative. Additionally, he has developed a minor rash near his thumb on one hand, resembling a 4 cm line, which I initially attributed to poison ivy. The rash is not red, and besides that, there are no other hives or rashes present. The bite site remains visible but shows no redness, swelling, or pain. I am working on scheduling an appointment with his primary care physician, although it might not happen until later this week. Can anyone provide insight on whether this condition is similar to RMSF? What types of additional tests should I ask the PCP about?
Answers (1)
7/27/2025, 11:10:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're understandably concerned about your son after discovering the tick and the subsequent symptoms. The positive test for Rickettsia suggests a possible infection related to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), which can occur after a tick bite, particularly if it was attached for a prolonged period.
Summary of Key Points:
- Positive test for Rickettsia indicates a potential RMSF infection.
- Symptoms include irritability, sore throat, fever, and a rash.
- It's essential to follow up with your child's PCP for further evaluation and care.
Explanation:
RMSF is caused by the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria and is transmitted mainly through the bite of infected ticks. Typical symptoms can include fever, rash, headache, and fatigue. The rash may not appear in all cases or might develop a few days after the onset of fever.
Your son's irritability, sore throat, fever, and minor rash suggest an ongoing infection. The timeline (the tick bite being discovered after a few days) does fit a pattern that raises concern for RMSF, although a clinical evaluation is needed to confirm diagnosis and treatment.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily record of his temperature, irritability, and any changes in symptoms or the rash. This will be helpful for the physician.
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Hydration and Comfort: Ensure your son stays well-hydrated and is comfortable. Use fever-reducing medications (like acetaminophen) as directed for his fever, but consult with your PCP about this.
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Prepare for the Physician's Appointment:
- Discuss the positive Rickettsia test result and symptoms with the doctor.
- Ask about specific treatments, such as antibiotics like doxycycline, which are effective for RMSF.
- Request further evaluation of the rash to rule out other possibilities and to ensure appropriate treatment.
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Inquire About Additional Tests: Depending on clinical findings, your PCP may suggest:
- Blood tests to evaluate liver enzymes or complete blood count (CBC) to assess his overall health.
- Additional lab tests to confirm RMSF or other possible tick-borne diseases.
While awaiting your appointment, try to keep your son comfortable and monitor his symptoms closely. If his condition worsens—such as developing confusion, severe headache, or respiratory symptoms—consider seeking immediate medical attention. You are doing the right thing by pursuing care, and your proactive approach can help ensure your son receives the best care possible.
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