A person with tick paralysis has muscle weakness due a toxic substance in tick saliva. When the tick attaches to the body to feed, the toxin can enter the bloodstream.

Symptom of tick paralysis may include:

• Influenza symptoms:
• Headache
• Muscles aches
• Fatigue
• Difficulty walking
• Poor balance
• Leg weakness (unilateral)
• Leg weakness (bilateral)
• Arm weakness (unilateral)
• Arm weakness (bilateral)
• Breathing difficulty

Treatment of tick paralysis involves removal of the tick. After the tick is removed, symptoms resolve quickly.