I got bit a month ago with three deer ticks near Joplin, MO. I hear around Missouri we have more Erlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Fever and other diseases more so than Lyme.
Went to ER Friday night with fever of 101, neck stiffness, and near fainting. The ER sent me home with 14 days of doxy 100 mg. The family practice doc says that should be enough.
What is the best actual treatment time with antibiotics? And do I need to switch up in case resistance is there? At this point I'm symptom free except for some knee aches.
14 days is almost always adequate. The antibiotics themselves actually make an environment for your immune system to work. It takes that immune system some time after the last dose to get the job done. Not only with tick borne bacteria but all bacteria and disease. More isn't better and in fact is often counter productive. The side effects of too many or too long of a course of ABX are often worse than what they are treating and lead to chronic issues and ultimately bouts of systemic sepsis which can be fatal. Many of our members are suffering the results of treatment not the disease itself. If things aren't better after a couple weeks after your final dose. THEN is the time for you and your docs to consider another round. Good luck.