Tick-Borne Illnesses

Tick-borne illnesses can affect more than just your child’s physical health — in some cases, they may contribute to fatigue, mood changes, chronic inflammation, and neurological symptoms that linger long after the initial infection. At Pediatric Neuro-Immune Care in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Daniel Shtraykher, DO, FAAP, and his team specialize in identifying and treating complex cases of tick-borne illness and the immune dysfunction that can follow.

Their comprehensive, child-focused approach combines advanced testing, immune support, and personalized therapies to help children recover and thrive. Call the office or request an appointment online today.

What are tick-borne illnesses?

Tick-borne illnesses are infections passed through the bite of an infected tick. Lyme disease is the most well-known, but ticks may also transmit other organisms such as Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, among others. In some children, these infections may trigger persistent immune activation, inflammation, and symptoms that affect the brain, nervous system, behavior, and overall functioning.

At Pediatric Neuro-Immune Care, Dr. Shtraykher evaluates both acute and long-term cases of tick-borne illness, with special attention to how infection and immune dysregulation may overlap with conditions such as PANS, PANDAS, chronic fatigue, and mold-related or inflammatory illness.

What symptoms can tick-borne illnesses cause in children?

Symptoms of tick-borne illness can vary widely depending on the specific infection, how long it has been present, and how the child’s immune system is responding. Common symptoms may include:

• Fatigue or low energy
• Headaches or dizziness
• Muscle or joint pain
• Low-grade fevers, chills, or sweats
• Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability
• Trouble concentrating or “brain fog”
• Sleep disturbances
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Appetite changes or nausea

Neuropsychiatric symptoms, including OCD-like symptoms, tics, or emotional dysregulation in some children

Some children may also develop a rash after a tick bite, though not all do. Because symptoms often overlap with other inflammatory or infectious conditions, tick-borne illnesses can easily be missed.

Are there different kinds of tick-borne illnesses?

Yes. Different infections can cause overlapping symptoms, but each may also have certain patterns:

Lyme disease (Borrelia)
Often associated with fatigue, headaches, joint pain, brain fog, and sometimes a bull’s-eye rash. In some cases, it may also contribute to neurological or behavioral symptoms.

Babesia
A parasite that may cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, night sweats, air hunger, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. Some children seem especially drained or “washed out.”

Bartonella
Can be associated with irritability, anxiety, mood swings, agitation, sleep problems, sensory symptoms, foot pain, and neuropsychiatric changes. In some children, Bartonella may overlap heavily with PANS/PANDAS-like presentations.

Ehrlichia and Anaplasma
These infections may cause fever, chills, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and general flu-like symptoms. Some children feel acutely ill, while others may have a more prolonged inflammatory response.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other rickettsial infections
May cause fever, rash, headache, body pain, and more serious systemic illness if not recognized early.

Because children do not always present in a textbook way — medicine loves making things dramatic and ambiguous for no reason — a careful clinical evaluation is essential.

How are tick-borne illnesses diagnosed?

Because symptoms can mimic many other illnesses, accurate diagnosis starts with a detailed medical history, symptom review, and exposure assessment. Dr. Shtraykher may order specialized lab work to evaluate for Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, while also looking at immune markers, inflammatory patterns, and related factors that may be contributing to symptoms.

He may also assess whether environmental issues, mold exposure, nutrient deficiencies, or other chronic inflammatory triggers are worsening the child’s condition.

How are tick-borne illnesses treated?

Treatment depends on the child’s symptoms, lab findings, overall health, and which infections or inflammatory factors appear to be involved. Dr. Shtraykher may recommend:

Targeted antimicrobial treatment based on the suspected or confirmed infections

Anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating support

Nutritional support and detoxification strategies to reduce inflammation

Support for sleep, mood, focus, and nervous system regulation

Lifestyle and environmental recommendations to reduce ongoing immune stress

Coordination with therapists, educators, or other specialists to support recovery

Follow-up care is important to track progress and adjust treatment over time. Dr. Shtraykher and his team provide ongoing monitoring to help children move toward better immune balance, improved functioning, and a better quality of life.

If your child has lingering symptoms after a tick bite, suspected infection, or unexplained inflammatory illness, contact Pediatric Neuro-Immune Care in Brooklyn, New York, or request an appointment online today.