Differential Diagnosis for 4 YO Vomiting Post Bite from Wood Tick
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Tick-borne illness (e.g., Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Southern tick-associated rash illness): The wood tick bite 5 days ago is a strong clue, and vomiting can be a symptom of these illnesses, which are common in areas where wood ticks are found.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gastroenteritis: Vomiting is a common symptom of gastroenteritis, which can be caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens.
- Insect bite reaction: While less likely, an insect bite reaction could cause vomiting, especially if the child has a severe allergic reaction.
- Viral illness: A viral illness such as a stomach virus or flu could also cause vomiting, although the timing with the tick bite is coincidental.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Tick paralysis: A rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by a toxin in the tick's saliva, which can cause ascending paralysis and respiratory failure if not treated promptly.
- Lyme disease: Although vomiting is not a typical symptom of early Lyme disease, it can occur in later stages, and missing this diagnosis could lead to long-term complications.
- Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis: These tick-borne illnesses can cause severe symptoms, including vomiting, and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Rare Diagnoses
- Babesiosis: A rare tick-borne illness caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells, which can cause vomiting, fever, and anemia.
- Powassan virus disease: A rare tick-borne illness that can cause vomiting, fever, and encephalitis.
- Tularemia: A rare bacterial illness that can be transmitted by tick bites, which can cause vomiting, fever, and skin ulcers.