Tick Bite ER Visits Rising: Why Children and Older Adults Are Most Affected
Thousands of ER visits reported
Children and elderly at higher risk
Diagnosis may be more difficult
Education remains critical
Tick bite ER visits are more common than many realize. A multi-hospital study highlights how frequently patients seek emergency care—and which groups are most affected.
More than 10,359 tick bite–related encounters were documented across 25 acute care hospitals in New Hampshire between 2010 and 2014.
According to Daly from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services,:
- 6% of visits involved children age 5 and under
- 22% involved adults age 65 and older
- 58% of patients were male
Why Children and Older Adults Are at Higher Risk
A key pattern is vulnerability. Children and older adults are more likely to seek emergency care following a tick bite.
These groups may also be more difficult to diagnose if Lyme disease develops:
- Rashes may be atypical or unnoticed
- Symptoms may be nonspecific
- Communication of symptoms may be limited
This can contribute to delayed Lyme disease diagnosis.
Why Tick Bite Visits Matter
Emergency visits for tick bites are not just about the bite itself.
A key pattern is missed opportunity. These visits represent a critical window for education, prevention, and early recognition of Lyme disease.
Without proper guidance, patients may not recognize early symptoms or seek follow-up care.
The Role of Education
The authors emphasize the importance of education for both providers and the public.
“Results of ED data analyses can be used to target education…through timely distribution of evidence-based educational materials and training programmes,” Daly explains.
Improved awareness may reduce missed diagnoses and delayed treatment.
What About Preventive Antibiotics?
Some patients receive a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline after a tick bite.
A key point: This approach may prevent the development of a rash (erythema migrans), but it has not been proven to prevent:
- Other manifestations of Lyme disease
- Coinfections such as Babesia or Anaplasma
This raises important questions about follow-up and monitoring after tick exposure.
Learn more about Lyme coinfections.
Clinical Takeaway
Tick bite ER visits are common—and represent an important opportunity for early intervention.
Children and older adults may be at higher risk for both exposure and delayed diagnosis.
Education, awareness, and follow-up are critical to reducing missed Lyme disease cases.
Related Reading
Reference
- Daly ER et al. Zoonoses Public Health. 2017.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
I have Lyme disease and my daughter has been bitten by 3 ticks. Is there proof that the tick has to be latched on for 24 hours in order to pass the virus? I do not want my daughter to suffer through all that I have gone through and the primary care physician will not prescribe her an antibiotic until after the test comes back from the tick. Super frustrating!
The 24 to 36 hour rule is based in part on tick attachment studies from dogs. These studies support removing the tick ASAP. The studies under 24 hours leave some questions for future studies. There are also infections in a tick that are transmitted in less than a day. Stay tuned. Until then, your doctor will have to review the entire story.