24 hours
The chances that you might get Lyme disease from a single tick bite depend on the type of tick, where you acquired it, and how long it was attached to you. Many types of ticks bite people in the U.S., but only blacklegged ticks transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Common symptoms of Lyme disease include a rash, fever, body aches, facial paralysis, and arthritis. Ticks can also transmit other diseases, so it's important to be alert for any illness that follows a tick bite. The disease can be spread when an infected tick bites a person and stays attached for a period of time. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 hours or more before the bacteria can be transmitted. Lyme disease does not spread from one person to another. Transfer of the bacteria from an infected pregnant woman to the fetus is extremely rare. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Lyme disease may cause symptoms affecting the skin, nervous system, heart and/or joints of an individual. Over 95,000 cases have been reported to the New York State Department of Health since Lyme disease became reportable in 1986. If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 36 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is small. But, just in case, monitor your health closely and be on the alert for symptoms of Lyme disease. It can take 36 hours for a tick to transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease to you. To safely remove ticks: u Use fine-tipped tweezers and firmly grasp the tick close to the skin. Avoid touching the tick with your bare hands. u With a steady motion, pull straight up until all parts of the tick are removed. If you develop illness within a few weeks of a tick bite, see your health care provider right away. Common symptoms of Lyme disease include a rash, fever, body aches, facial paralysis, and arthritis. Ticks can also transmit other diseases, so it's important to be alert for any illness that follows a tick bite. Question 20) How long does a tick need to be attached to a person for that person to get Lyme disease? Answer-Ticks need to be attached for at least 24 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease. However, just to be safe you should check your health closely for one month after a tick bite and call your doctor if you have any of the early signs of Lyme disease. [ back to top ]. 1 If the tick is identified as a deer tick that was attached for more than 24 hours. 2  If it is less than 72 hours since the original bite. 3  If more than 20% of the ticks in your area are known to be infected. 4  You do not have problems taking doxycycline. Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted. Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs. The Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, is spread through the bite of infected ticks. The blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) spreads the disease in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States. Experts disagree about how long it takes a tick to transmit Lyme disease. The CDC says that in most cases, the tick must be attached more than 24 hours. We think that gives people a false sense of security. In some research studies, 5-7% of nymphs transmitted the Lyme bacteria in less than 24 hours. One paper reported on a case of Lyme disease transmitted after six hours of tick attachment This means the tick has to be attached and feeding for more than 36 hours before it can transmit Lyme. A tick that has not yet attached to the skin, is easy to remove or is not engorged (i.e. is still flat) when removed, could not have transmitted Lyme disease or any other infection.  ● Only ticks that are attached and have finished feeding or are near the end of their meal can transmit Lyme disease. After arriving on the skin, the tick that spreads Lyme disease usually takes 24 hours before feeding begins. ● Even if a tick is attached, it must have taken a blood meal to transmit Lyme disease. At least 36 to 48 hours of feeding is required for a tick to have fed and then transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. After this amount of time, the tick will be engorged (full of blood). An engorged tick has a globular shape and is larger than an unengorged one.
http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/faq/index.html http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/fact_sheet.htm http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/lyme/documents/ticks_are_out_booklet.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/faq/index.html http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/lyme/lyme-faq.shtml http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/index.html https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/ticks/about-ticks/ http://www.mtascutneyhospital.org/news-events/ticks-and-lyme-disease-%E2%80%93-what-you-need-know http://www.uptodate.com/contents/what-to-do-after-a-tick-bite-to-prevent-lyme-disease-beyond-the-basics
how many hours does a tick have to be attached for lyme disease