Protecting Yourself Against Tick-Borne Illnesses Including Lyme Disease & Anaplasmosis
What Are Tick-Borne Diseases?
Ticks can carry bacteria that cause infections in humans.
In Ontario, the most common Tick-Borne illnesses are:
In Ontario, the most common Tick-Borne illnesses are:
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Lyme disease – caused by Borrelia burgdorferi
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Anaplasmosis – caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Both are spread by the blacklegged tick (deer tick), which is found in wooded, bushy, or grassy areas.
Prevention -Your first line of defence
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Wear long sleeves, pants, and light-coloured clothing when outdoors.
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Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants.
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Use insect repellents with DEET or icaridin.
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Stay on clear paths; avoid tall grasses and brush.
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Complete daily tick checks, especially after being outdoors, including:
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Behind knees, ears, or neck
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Around the waist, underarms, and scalp
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Tick Removal: Do it promptly and properly
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Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin.
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Pull upward slowly and steadily. Do not twist or squeeze.
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Clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
What is normal after a tick bite?
After removing a tick, it is common to experience:
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Mild redness (less than 5 cm) at the site
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A small bump like a mosquito bite
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Mild itching or tenderness
This does not necessarily indicate Lyme disease.
The redness should fade over a few days and does not expand.
The redness should fade over a few days and does not expand.
When to see a Healthcare Provider
Seek medical attention if:
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You develop symptoms in the days to weeks after a tick bite, including:
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Fever, chills, fatigue
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Headache, muscle or joint pain
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A spreading or target-shaped rash
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Nausea or abdominal pain (may indicate anaplasmosis)
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The tick was attached for more than 24 hours
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You are unsure how long the tick was attached
Lyme rashes appear in about 70-80% of lyme disease cases and usually have the following characteristics:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round or oval; expands over time |
| Colour | Typically red or pink; occasionally bluish or purple |
| Borders | Well-defined, sharp |
| Pattern | Mostly uniform; bull’s-eye occurs in ~20% of cases |
| Sensation | Might feel warm; usually no itching, pain, or swelling |
| Timing | Appears 3–30 days after tick bite |
| Presence rate | Seen in approx. 70–80% of infected individuals |
Antibiotics: When Are They Needed?
One-Time Preventive Antibiotics May Be Offered If:
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It was attached for MORE than 24 hours and appears engorged
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It’s been LESS than 72 hours since removal
Full Treatment Antibiotics Are Prescribed If:
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You develop a bull’s-eye rash (diagnostic of Lyme)
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You have early or systemic Lyme symptoms (fever, joint pain, facial weakness)
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Bloodwork confirms Lyme or Anaplasmosis, or symptoms are strongly suggestive
When Antibiotics Are NOT Needed
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The tick was attached for less than 24 hours
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There are no symptoms
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Mild local redness not expanding
Note: if the tick was attached for MORE than 24 hours but was removed MORE than 72 hours ago, a prophylactic dose of doxycycline is NOT recommended. Instead, monitor for development of any symptoms.
Tick-Borne Illness Comparison: Lyme vs. Anaplasmosis
| Lyme Disease | Anaplasmosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset of Symptoms | 3–30 days after tick bite | 5–21 days after tick bite |
| Early Symptoms | - Fatigue - Headache - Fever, chills - Muscle and joint aches - Swollen lymph nodes - Bull's-eye rash (in ~70-80% of cases) |
- Fever, chills - Headache - Muscle aches - Malaise - Nausea or abdominal pain - No characteristic rash |
| How is it diagnosed? | - Clinical (rash) - Blood test |
- Bloodwork (CBC, liver enzymes) - PCR or blood smear |
| How is it treated? | - Doxycycline (10–21 days) - Amoxicillin for children <8 or pregnancy |
- Doxycycline (10–14 days) |
| Preventive antibiotics (Prophylaxis) | May be offered if tick attached more than 24 hrs and patient meets criteria |
No prophylaxis; treatment only if symptomatic |
| Season of Risk | Spring to late fall | Spring to late fall |
| Prognosis | Excellent with early treatment; late-stage may require longer care | Excellent with prompt treatment; complications possible if delayed |
| QUICK | SUMMARY |
|---|---|
Tick attached for LESS than 24 hours |
⇒⇒⇒ Remove as soon as possible and monitor for symptoms |
Mild redness at bite site only |
⇒⇒⇒ Normal – monitor for changes |
|
|
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Tick attached MORE than 24 hours,
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⇒⇒⇒ Contact Health Care Provider re: prophylactic antibiotic |
Tick attached MORE than 24 hours,
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⇒⇒⇒ Monitor for changes/development of symptoms |
Rash or symptoms develop
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⇒⇒⇒ Seek medical care & begin treatment if indicated |
Local & Provincial Resources
KFL&A Public Health: www.kflaph.ca
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000
Ontario Lyme Info: www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease