Son has mystery illness after tick bite

Roughly one week ago, we found a nymph tick attached to the face of my two-year-old son. It had most likely been there for less than an hour. Since it was a nymph and we didn't see any blood when we killed it, we had hoped the risk of contracting any illness was low.

Two days later, he started vomiting and developed a fever. The vomiting continued for roughly 12 hours, the fever for 36 hours (off and on). Due to the vomiting, we assumed food poisoning since we live in Thailand and had eaten out earlier that day.

Throughout, he mostly seemed his usual self, with a good mood and good energy levels.

He seemed to be back to normal for a day, then this morning he woke up very early complaining that wanted to vomit, and, while he didn't, he was disconsolate and clearly not feeling well. He refused to get out of bed and just wanted to cuddle with his mother, something he never does (he's usually up with the sun, and can't be kept down).

When he did finally get up, he was dull, lethargic, much less verbal than usual. He improved throughout the day and had a good appetite, but he was certainly not 100%; he just seemed much duller than his usual vibrant self.

Is it possible (or likely) that this has all been from the tick bite? I assumed not due to the vomiting, but the way he behaved today was concerning.

I know the general recommendation among LLMDs is to take 2 weeks of antibiotics after any tick bite. We have been reluctant to use antibiotics with our son and have managed to them so far in his life, but I am wondering if it is warranted now. As mentioned, we live in Thailand and knowledge of tick-borne infections is completely non-existent, so consulting with a doctor locally will not be helpful.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I agree with Girlie.

its a tough one as tick certainly do transmit so many things - so a known tick bite is a concern

its worth noting however than only a small percentage of ticks are typically infected with detectable pathogens - and even infected ticks do not always transmit a disease they carry with every bite

and on the other hand - toddlers get so many brief fevers / viruses / tummy upsets etc it could be entirely unrelated

i did find this paper describing the tick born infections known to be present in Thailand
https://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/seameo/2008-39-6-full/10-4238.pdf

mainly anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis. with not much evidence of lyme found in tests of 300+ assorted ticks

of the above infections - doxycycline would seem to have the broadest coverage

To be clear, my post was implying that dehydration could be an issue, whether he had a virus or a tick-borne infection. A virus probably is more likely, but I understand everyone's concern due to the recent tick bite, even though you said it had been attached an hour at most.

How is he doing now?

good to hear!

Thanks garzie and saraeli - much appreciated. I think dehydration may indeed have played a role, as you suggested.