Tick-Borne Illnesses: Symptoms to Watch Out For

At Pedi Center Urgent Care, we know that children love to spend time outdoors, especially during the warmer months. Unfortunately, this also means an increased risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Ticks can transmit several illnesses to humans, and children can be especially vulnerable due to their active lifestyles and developing immune systems.

Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Children:

• Lyme Disease: Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, it presents with fever, fatigue, joint pain, and a “bull’s-eye” rash.

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, with fever, muscle pain, and a spotted rash starting on wrists/ankles.

• Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis: Bacterial infections causing fever, chills, muscle aches, and sometimes confusion or stomach upset.

• Babesiosis: Causes flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue, especially serious in children with weakened immune systems.

• Tularemia and Powassan Virus: Rare but serious, causing fever, swollen lymph nodes, and potentially neurological issues.

Symptoms of tick-borne diseases can appear days to weeks after a tick bite, and they can be mistaken for other common childhood illnesses. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential to avoid complications.

At Pedi Center Urgent Care, we understand that your child’s health and safety are your top priorities—especially during the warmer months when outdoor play is at its peak. One important illness to be aware of in our region is Lyme disease, an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (deer ticks).

Early detection is key. The earliest and most recognizable sign is a rash called erythema migrans, which may appear 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. It often looks like a red expanding ring—sometimes with a “bull’s-eye” appearance—but not all children develop this rash. Other early symptoms can include:

• Fever and chills

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Muscle and joint aches

• Swollen lymph nodes

If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause more serious problems such as severe joint pain (especially in the knees), facial muscle weakness or drooping, headaches, and heart palpitations.

If your child has been bitten by a tick or develops any of these symptoms after being outdoors, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention. Our providers are experienced in evaluating and treating tick bites and Lyme disease. Early diagnosis and treatment with the right antibiotics are essential to prevent complications.

At Pedi Center Urgent Care, we understand how concerning it can be when your child isn’t feeling well, especially after spending time outdoors. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a serious bacterial infection that can affect children and is transmitted by ticks. Early symptoms can be very general and may look like other common illnesses, making it challenging to recognize right away.

Key Symptoms to Watch For:

• Fever: Usually the earliest and most consistent sign, often reaching high levels and sometimes with chills.

• Severe Headache: This may not improve with over-the-counter medications.

• Muscle Aches: Especially in the back and legs, which can be quite severe.

• Fatigue or Weakness: Many children may seem unusually tired.

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain.

Rash: Not always present at first. When it does appear, it often starts on the wrists, ankles, and forearms before spreading to the trunk. The rash may be faint and easy to miss in the early stages.

Not all children will have every symptom, and the absence of a rash early on does not rule out RMSF. Symptoms typically begin 2 to 14 days after a tick bite. If your child has recently been bitten by a tick or has spent time in areas where ticks are common (including parks, wooded trails, or your own backyard), and develops these symptoms, it’s important to seek prompt medical evaluation.

At Pedi Center Urgent Care, we want to keep your family healthy and informed about tick-borne illnesses that can affect children and teens, especially during warmer months when outdoor activities are popular. Babesiosis is a disease caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells, and it is spread by tick bites.

Babesiosis symptoms can range from very mild to severe, and some children may not have any symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they usually start one to four weeks after a tick bite and can include:

• Fever and chills

• Sweats

• Headache

• Muscle or body aches

• Loss of appetite or nausea

• Fatigue or weakness

In some cases, children might show dark urine or develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), which can indicate the destruction of red blood cells.

If you have any questions or concerns about tick bites or babesiosis, Pedi Center Urgent Care is here to help your family stay safe and healthy!

At Pedi Center Urgent Care, we understand how concerning it can be when your child is bitten by a tick. Did you know that a single tick bite can sometimes transmit more than one disease at the same time? Some ticks, such as the black-legged (deer) tick found in our region, can carry several germs—including those that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and even Powassan virus infection.

This means that if your child is bitten by an infected tick, they could potentially develop more than one tick-borne illness. Having more than one infection at once (called co-infection) can sometimes make symptoms more severe and diagnosis more challenging.

Watch for symptoms such as:

• Fever

• Fatigue or unusual tiredness

• Muscle aches

• Rash

If your child develops any of these symptoms after a tick bite, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know about their tick exposure. Our team is equipped to evaluate, test for, and treat multiple tick-borne illnesses in children. Early medical attention can make a big difference—especially if more than one infection is present.

If you’re concerned about a tick bite or your child isn’t feeling well, don’t hesitate to visit Pedi Center Urgent Care. We’re here to help your family stay healthy and safe this tick season! For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at Niles Street, Bakersfield, CA, and Wible Road, Bakersfield, CA. We serve patients from Bakersfield CA, Maltha CA, Kayandee CA, Burness CA, Clovis CA, Panama CA, Alameda CA, and surrounding areas.