Diseases caused by tick bites that are known in Australia are: Sometimes people think they have the symptoms of Lyme disease, but it is a different disease caused by ticks. Long-term treatment with antibiotics is not recommended. If you have Lyme disease, your doctor may refer you to an expert in infectious diseases, who may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and minimise the chances of any long-term complications such as arthritis and memory problems. You may have a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.įIND A HEALTH SERVICE - The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.ĪSK YOUR DOCTOR - Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. Your doctor will examine you and ask you if you’ve been in an area where you may have been bitten by a tick before making a diagnosis. A tick has to be attached for at least 36 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted. They can pierce the skin and inject their saliva, which may contain the bacteria, into the wound to draw blood for food. Ticks are insect-sized 8-legged animals that can cling onto the skin. You can get Lyme disease if you’re bitten by a tick carrying Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Lyme disease can also cause long-term problems with the joints and the brain.ĬHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS - Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. nerve pain (shooting pain, numbness or tingling).heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat.severe joint pain and swelling, arthritis.Later symptoms of Lyme disease, days to months after the tick bite, include: If it’s not treated, Lyme disease can spread and cause infection in the brain or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningo-encephalitis) or around the heart ( endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis). Other early symptoms of Lyme disease are: Not everybody with Lyme disease gets a rash. The rash may be tender, but it usually isn’t itchy or painful. Most people with Lyme disease notice a rash that appears between 3 and 30 days after a tick bite. Read about the latest Australian findings on Lyme disease. It is not possible to catch Lyme disease from someone else. People bitten by ticks in USA, Europe or Asia can return to Australia with Lyme disease. Researchers are investigating whether Australian ticks can cause Lyme disease or Lyme disease-like symptoms. The types of tick that carry the bacteria are not native to Australia and it’s not likely you can catch Lyme disease in Australia. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted in a tick bite. Related information on Australian websites. See what we’re doing about DSCATT and tick-related illness. Learn more about how we support people with DSCATT. We are committed to supporting people with DSCATT and their healthcare providers. The most common symptoms DSCATT patients report include: Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT)ĭSCATT is a term used to describe symptoms of a chronic debilitating illness associated with a tick bite. People can get Lyme disease if they are bitten by a tick carrying Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Scientists have not found Borrelia burgdorferi in Australian ticks, or any other Australian insect that could pass the disease to humans (called a vector).įor this reason, the Australian Government does not support the diagnosis of locally acquired Lyme disease. Instead, it recognises that a group of patients experience debilitating symptom complexes that some people attribute to ticks. Lyme disease is commonly found in parts of the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Asia. Visitors to these areas can become infected and return to Australia with Lyme disease. Australian healthcare providers can readily diagnose and treat Lyme disease. You cannot give Lyme disease to someone else. On this page Tick bite diseases in AustraliaĪustralian ticks can cause illness, including Rickettsial infections, Q fever, allergic reactions, paralysis and mammalian meat allergy.
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