Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
high

May require surgical draining, as the enlarged nodes can be painful and may not resolve without intervention.

short term
low

Very rare complication from bacteraemia with acute disease.

With modern antibiotic therapy it is almost never seen.

short term
low

May be seen acutely with severe disease.

Supportive therapy only is required.

short term
low

A complication of severe acute disease.

Supportive therapy only is required.

short term
low

An allergy to mammalian red meat that can occur after a tick bite due to the transmission of galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a sugar molecule that is also found in red meat. Some people have a strong IgE antibody response to alpha-gal resulting in a delayed-onset allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. It is associated with bites from the Lone Star tick in the US, but has been reported in other parts of the world such as Australia, Europe, and Asia due to bites from other types of ticks. The only treatment is to avoid consuming red meat.[26]​​[27]​ At one US clinic, red meat allergies caused by tick bites were the most common cause of anaphylaxis, accounting for 33% of cases.[28]

long term
high

Can last for weeks to months after acute illness.

No specific therapy is required.

Assessment of fatigue

long term
low

Rare complication of severe cases.[24][25] Treatment is supportive (e.g., hydration, correction of electrolyte abnormalities, urine alkalinisation, diuretics).​​​

Rhabdomyolysis

long term
low

Rarely seen with modern antibiotic therapy.

Treated with prolonged courses of antibiotics.

Osteomyelitis

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