Tik'Alert® is a CE-marked and clinically validated home test for the early detection of Borrelia IgM after a tick bite. The test gives an answer in 10 minutes from one drop of capillary blood from the fingertip and is used both by private individuals and healthcare professionals in Europe. With specificity over 95%, overall accuracy over 88% and certifications such as CE-IVD and ISO 13485, this is a medical test that provides useful decision support before contacting a doctor.

Compared to waiting for laboratory testing or the development of clearer symptoms, Tik'Alert® can provide an early indication 2 to 6 weeks after a tick bite, when further assessment is often most relevant. Developed in Switzerland by Swiss Point of Care, the test detects IgM antibodies against several important European Borrelia strains, including B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis.

• Early IgM detection already 2 to 6 weeks after tick bite
• Answer in 10 minutes from one drop of blood
• High specificity over 95% with few false positives
• CE-IVD-classified and manufactured under the ISO 13485 standard
• Suitable for home use, but also used in clinics and emergency rooms
• Practical documentation to take to the doctor if Lyme disease is suspected

This medical test is particularly suitable for people who travel in forests and fields, dog and cat owners, gardeners, hunters, orienteers and families with children during the tick season from April to October. It is also relevant if you notice a red ring around the bite site, or get symptoms such as fever, fatigue or joint pain after staying in tick areas. For parents, the test can be a quick and gentle alternative when you want an initial clarification at home.

Tik'Alert® uses lateral flow immunochromatography, a technology that is also used in many professional rapid tests. The result is easily interpreted: Two lines at T and C mean that IgM antibodies have been detected and a doctor should be contacted immediately. Only a C line means that the test is negative at the time of the test. If the C line is missing, the test is invalid and must be repeated with a new device. The test is stored at 4 to 30 °C and has a shelf life of 24 months.

The contents of the box are suitable for safe and easy use at home: test cassette, pipette, buffer solution, automatic lancet, alcohol wipe and instructions for use in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and English. The automatic lancet is designed for easy fingertip sampling, and the sample is transferred with a pipette before four drops of reagent are added. The result should be read exactly after 10 minutes, not after 15 minutes.

It is important to understand the limitations of this type of antibody test. A negative test does not rule out Lyme disease early in the course, because antibodies may not yet have been formed, because antibiotic treatment has been started early, or because the sensitivity in phase I is 53.8%. In case of persistent symptoms, the test should be repeated after 2 to 4 weeks and a doctor should be contacted. A positive test means that IgM antibodies have been detected, but does not replace medical assessment or serological laboratory tests for further investigation.

For those who want a quick, standardized and documentable assessment after a tick bite, Tik'Alert® provides a concrete basis for the next step. In contrast to uncertain symptom-based assessments alone, this test gives a measurable result that can be used as support in dialogue with a doctor.