Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Children?

[Lioninthemeadow]

Does anyone have any experience with symptoms of Lyme disease in kids?

My DD got bitten by a tick a couple of weeks ago. 10 days after, she came down with fever/chills, headaches and sore knees, shoulders and neck. At the same time, it also turned red where she was bitten and that red area has been growing. Took her to the doc who said it could be Lyme disease, but as the rash is not a classic Lyme's bullseye, she wouldn't prescribe ABs but we could go for a blood test in a few weeks if we wanted.

I'm trying to decide whether to take her for a test. I'd really rather not put a 5yo through a blood test if it can be avoided (especially as I understand the test is fairly unreliable anyway). But I am worried that if it's Lyme and goes untreated that could be quite serious. The red area around the bite is still small but growing - obviously I will keep an eye on it, but what other symptoms should I look out for if it's Lyme? Are the fever/aches etc likely to return?

Lyme disease could have neurological side effects. If that was my kid id chase up for antibiotics

My son was prescribed antibiotics when he developed flu like symptoms four days after a tick bite, he didn’t have the bulls eye rash, but GP thought it was wise to prescribe them.
I would push for the antibiotics.

I really wish they would give her antibiotics!! Apparently the guidelines now say don't prescribe ABs without the bullseye rash unless there is a positive blood test. The GP we saw even discussed it with the others in the practice, so I don't think I could try another doctor there either.

If the rash grows anymore, I will go back and be pushy, otherwise I guess my options are wait for a blood test (which I reeeeally don't want to subject DD to) or pay for a private GP as a second opinion :(

Have a look at the NICE guidelines here. They list many classic symptoms whcih indicate antibiotics should be prescribed regarless of blood test results.

"Luckily" when DS had Lyme disease he had he had a classic bullseye but it's not always that easy to detect. Our doctor was great and spoke to the infectious diseases unit at our local hospital for advice.

My son was only bitten two years ago, when were the guidelines changed?
I think he acted on the side of caution as ds was going abroad with his school the next week.

Blimey I'd get the blood test done, why risk it?

NICE guidelines were changed quite recently NK346f2849X127d8bca260 .

Lioninthemeadow I'd be insisting on antibiotics now. May be too late if you leave it a couple of weeks and anyway the NHS blood test is not always reliable and does not always pick up the infection.

Christ almighty - get the blood test done

I'd take her to a different GP - if you're registered at a surgery there's no need to pay to go private, just see someone else at your surgery.

I'm really surprised they've not given ABs, those are classic Lyme symptoms you've described. I get the whole AB resistance scare, but surely it's just common sense.

I was diagnosed with Lyme on the basis on a rash only, no other symptoms, and given ABs immediately. I was also told that the blood test could produce false negatives (which makes me wonder why they bother!)

I will get the blood test done for her, I guess I'm just annoyed at the thought of putting her through it for a test that is known for giving unreliable results when I would much rather they just gave her the antibiotics! She will freak out at a needle and we would have to get a special appointment at the nearest hospital according to the doc, as they won't do blood tests on kids that young in the surgery. I think I will go back and see another doctor and have one more attempt at trying to persuade them to give her ABs!

Go back to the GP, or prferably another one, and take the NICE guidelines with you. It states clearly antibiotics should be given if there are symptoms regardless of blood test. Also there is a link wihting teh NICE guidelines I posted with pictures of the rash and as you can see they are not all classic bullseye rashes.

Thanks TwigTheWonderKid that's really helpful

Yes do the blood test. You may think throwing antibiotics down people "just in case" has no consequences but it does.

BarbarianMum I don't think that at all and am well aware of the problems of antibiotic resistance. But I think there is a high chance she has Lyme (especially as her rash is getting bigger and looks like a bullseye now to my untrained eye) and the consequences of not treating could be so serious, I'm not willing to take that risk with her. So that's why it's back to the GP to discuss again. If they could produce a reliable blood test it might be different!

lymediseaseuk.com/lyme-disease-testing/

Any LONDON mums had a child with Lyme disease?

Hi there

My daughter was also recently bitten by a tick. She didn’t get a blood test but had the rash and was put on antibiotics for 3 weeks. Better to be safe than sorry. Did you manage to see your GP today?

I hope she's feeling better now Bcafoo. How large was her rash if you don't mind me asking? Our GP appointment isn't until next week, although I've taken a picture of how her rash looks at the moment in case it changes again before then.

She had about 5 rashes the size of 10p pieces which makes me think it went to the disseminated stage. She seems fine now but I check her for rashes every morning now. How is your daughter? Is she on antibiotics yet? Was she bitten in the UK?

She seems better in herself, and the rash starting to fade a little but still growing outwards if that makes sense. No ABs yet as we couldn't see the GP until next week. Yup, in the UK in the south. We live in an area that's higher risk for Lyme unfortunately.