I got bit by a tick a week ago and got a bullseye rash. I started sneezing a lot right after, and now my sinuses are clogged and I'm miserable. I feel like I have a really bad head cold. Coincidence, or can tick bites do that? Do ticks also carry viruses?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would say yes because it usually causes flu-like symptoms.
And yes, they can carry viruses and tons of infections.
Glad you found us! Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
The onset of Lyme disease can feel like a cold/flu. When I first got ill with Lyme I had pain in sinus areas and felt horrible in general. The dr.'s told me it was a sinus infection and they were WRONG.
Three years later I am still sick and trying to find a way out of this mess.
Since you got a bulls eye rash that means lyme disease and you need treatment immediately!!! Now, before things get out of hand and become chronic. Action NOW could literally save your life.
Please see a dr. and tell them about the tick bite and bulls eye rash. You should get on an antibiotic pronto, probably doxycycline.
If the dr. doesn't prescribe an antibiotic then find a dr. or lyme literate dr. who will!!
I am sure others will chime in.
Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
Greenwings, I just saw your other post and I am soo glad you are getting treatment!! It is very fortunate that you got the bulls eye and were very aware of the situation.
And to answer you question more specifically. Yes, I got sinus pain, runny nose and other cold/flu like symptoms when I first got ill with lyme.
Posted by GreenWings (Member # 40735) on :
Gigimac I really appreciate you sharing that. It feels exactly like a sinus infection and the regular doctor told me thats probably what it is. But I have family members with Lyme so I knew to go to a Lyme doctor. I'm getting treatment, thank the lord.
The regular doctor just keeps telling me that I have a head cold. It made me second guess things a little bit because I had never heard of someone having sinus symptoms after a bite. But thank you very much for sharing that you did.
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
I had a severe flu (head-cold-like) illness when I was re-infected. A high fever accompanied it. I haven't felt well since then but I didn't have aggressive treatment until months later.
I'm glad you're getting treated by a Lyme doctor right away. It will save you a lot of suffering later.
Posted by Maya12 (Member # 36392) on :
How would you know if you got bitten in the head?
Posted by Maya12 (Member # 36392) on :
Does the area where the bite occurs hurt ?
Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
You are welcome greenwings! I hope you will feel better soon and I am so happy you got on treatment so soon!
Posted by LymeMom Kellye (Member # 24807) on :
My daughter got bitten in the head. We didn't know for months. Then one day I found it when French braiding her hair. We took her to the Dr and they surgically removed It. Told us to watch for an infection at the site. Never said a word about lyme. 13 years later she was diagnosed with chronic late stage lyme, after 12 years if progressively worsening health.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Yes! Yes! Yes! to all your questions. Ticks also carry mycoplasma and relapsing fever, along with babesia and bartonells (which is a bacteria without a cell wall).
It can totally feel like the flu or a cold.
One thing I was told was to be concerned about summer colds because it could be from Lyme.
Posted by tickle (Member # 36441) on :
LymeMom Kellye, your storey really breaks my heart. Your poor daughter, so have to suffer with chronic late stage lyme when it didn't have to get that far!
Posted by GreenWings (Member # 40735) on :
Thank you so much for sharing everyone. I wish that everyone in this thread (and on this website) could have found their tickbite and a knowledgeable doctor and got treatment early like I did. I know I am very lucky.
Second question- can ticks carry any viruses or anything that are contageous? A member of my household now feels like they are getting the flu too.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
GreenWings, please make sure you are on the right dose antibiotic for the right amount of time.
Many doctors will prescribe only 200 mg of Doxy daily (should be 400-600 mg) for 2-3 weeks (should be at least 6 weeks). This is not strong enough or long enough. Early infections that are properly treated are the easiest to cure.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yes, they can carry viruses.
Maybe you've caught a cold on top of the bite though and they caught it from you.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
GreenWings, was your family member in the area where you were bitten by a tick?
Posted by GreenWings (Member # 40735) on :
My family member now feels sick (flu-like) when they are here at home with me. They have a weak immune system (had Lyme too, but not caught early) so I wonder if I have infections that they can catch.
Sammi, yes...they were right next to me when we suspect I was bit. I know, they could have been bit too...
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