Tick-borne Encephalitis

Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) – a severe natural focal viral disease, one of the viral infections of the human central nervous system, which affects the brain, its membranes or peripheral nerves.

How is it transmitted?

TBE is caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which is transmitted by a tick bite or through milk:

• In Europe and Lithuania, the TBEV is most commonly spread by Ixodes ricinus ticks. The virus can be transmitted to humans by a nymph or adult tick.
• Less commonly, TBE can be contracted by consuming unpasteurized cow and goat milk and its products. The TBEV is killed when milk is boiled for 2 minutes, or at 70 ºC for 5 minutes.

Symptoms of the disease

The first symptoms of Tick-borne Encephalitis can be felt 1-2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick. About 80% of cases have a biphasic course of the disease.

During the first phase of the disease, which lasts 1-8 days, nonspecific symptoms appear: fever, bone, muscle, headache, fatigue, general weakness, less commonly – dyspeptic or upper respiratory tract catarrh symptoms.

After the first stage, there is a "pseudo-recovery" period, which can last 1-33 days, usually 5-8 days. If this period lasts about 24 hours or the person does not feel improvement, then the disease is monophasic.

During the second phase of the disease, symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) damage and inflammatory changes in the cerebrospinal fluid are observed. Symptoms during this period include nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, dizziness. A more severe form of the disease manifests as consciousness, balance and coordination disorders, cranial nerve damage.

Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccination

The most effective preventive measure against tick-borne encephalitis is vaccination. Tick-borne Encephalitis vaccines can be administered to children over 1 year old. It is recommended to start vaccination in winter or early spring, while tick activity is lower.

There are two types of vaccination schedules: regular and accelerated. In the regular vaccination schedule, the first two doses are administered every 1-3 months, and the third dose can be given 5–12 months after the second dose. The accelerated vaccination schedule is applied right before or during the tick activity season. The second dose can be administered at least 2 weeks after the first dose, and the third dose can be given 5-12 months after the second dose.

It is worth noting that if the vaccination process is interrupted after the first dose, the schedule must be restarted, as immunity has not yet fully developed and the risk of contracting TBE remains.

For patients under 60 years, repeated vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended 3 years after the end of the first course. They should be repeated every 3–5 years.

We recommend tick-borne encephalitis vaccination for everyone, especially if you spend a lot of time, vacation or picnic in wooded areas, work in forests, fields, or engage in agriculture.

Lyme Disease Diagnosis

Lyme disease – an infectious disease caused by Borrelia bacteria. It is transmitted to humans by ticks infected with Borrelia bacteria, having previously bitten wild animals. Most commonly, Lyme disease is transmitted to a person when a tick remains attached for 24 hours or more.

Symptoms of Lyme disease can be felt within a month of infection and include rashes, fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, and other body aches, neck stiffness, swollen lymph nodes. If not treated in time, other symptoms of chronic Lyme disease may appear: migrating erythema, joint pain, neurological problems.

Once infected, the human body produces antibodies. In the early stage of the disease, the body produces IgM class antibodies, later it starts producing IgG class antibodies.

Lyme disease blood tests are recommended to be conducted at least 2 weeks after a tick bite. The IgG antibody level test is used in later stages of disease diagnosis and during Lyme disease treatment.

Removal of Attached Ticks

Upon noticing an attached tick, it is important to react quickly and remove it. Regardless of whether a person has been vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, the parasite must be removed and do not forget to monitor your well-being. If cold and flu symptoms are felt in the coming weeks or a red circular spot appears at the tick bite site indicating Lyme disease, contact your family doctor or an infectious disease specialist.

To remove an attached tick yourself, use a disinfected tweezer. Carefully grasp the tick’s body as close to the head as possible. Firmly hold it and swiftly pull the tick toward you – this way the body and head should come out together. If the tick’s head remains in the skin, wait for the body to expel it naturally. Do not forget to wash the affected skin area with water and disinfect it.

It is important to note that oil or other creams and ointments should not be applied to the attached tick. The tick begins to suffocate from the oil, thus excreting almost twice as many toxins.