What should be done after a tick bite to prevent Lyme disease if the tick was attached for a prolonged period?

What should be done after a tick bite to prevent Lyme disease if the tick was attached for a prolonged period?

• A. No prophylaxis is recommended
• B. Doxycycline 200 mg once or Amoxicillin
• C. Azithromycin for 5 days
• D. Doxycycline 50 mg daily for 7 days

Answer: (B)

When a tick has been attached for a prolonged period in an area where Lyme disease is common, the best approach is to give a single, targeted antibiotic dose soon after removal to prevent infection. A one-time dose of doxycycline 200 mg taken orally within 72 hours is effective at reducing the risk of developing Lyme disease after a tick bite. If doxycycline is not appropriate—such as in pregnancy or in young children—an alternative is amoxicillin, typically given as 500 mg three times daily for 14 days. The other options—no prophylaxis, a longer daily antibiotic course, or using azithromycin—are not recommended because they are less effective or not supported by guidelines.

When a tick has been attached for a prolonged period in an area where Lyme disease is common, the best approach is to give a single, targeted antibiotic dose soon after removal to prevent infection. A one-time dose of doxycycline 200 mg taken orally within 72 hours is effective at reducing the risk of developing Lyme disease after a tick bite. If doxycycline is not appropriate—such as in pregnancy or in young children—an alternative is amoxicillin, typically given as 500 mg three times daily for 14 days. The other options—no prophylaxis, a longer daily antibiotic course, or using azithromycin—are not recommended because they are less effective or not supported by guidelines.