What is Tick borne encephalitis?
Tick borne encephalitis also known as TBE is a viral disease that is caused by, bite from an infected tick, or eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals.
Ticks are mostly found but not limited to, forests, woods, riversides and grassland. main areas in the map to look out for is European and Asian countries such as Austria, Estonia, Croatia, Russia, China and Japan.
What are the sings and symptoms of TBE?
Most people usually develop mild symptoms within a week of the infection. these symptoms are mostly flu like such as , Fever, nausea, tiredness, muscle pain and headache which subside on their own. On the other hand, about 30 percent of these people will go on to have more serious symptoms following the first stage which can be fatal as the virus can spread and cause problems associated with the brain (encephalitis) and spinal chord (meningitis). the symptoms they can experience are: seizures, feeling confused, sensitivity to light, unable to speak and paralysis.
In the case of experiencing these symptoms, patients need urgent medical attention.
Is there a treatment? What to do if bitten?
Currently there are no treatments for this infection. The best treatment is prevention with vaccinations.
If a tick is found on the skin it needs to be removed as soon as possible with sharp tweezers
(which can be bought from the pharmacy), grabbed as close to the skin and pulled upwards not pressing on the tick so much as the content of its stomach can re infect the bite if it is squeezed so hard. Once the tick is removed wash your hands and the wound with soap and water and you can also use antiseptic cream on the area.
Prevention of TBE/ Vaccination information
The best way to prevent this infection is the vaccination which is given in 3 doses.
second dose is given 1to 3 months after the first. The third dose can be given 5to 12 months after the second dose.
in case you don't have enough time the accelerated course is offered to you which allows you to have the first two doses 14 days apart instead.
TBE vaccine is not on the NHS but we do offer the full course at Pulteney pharmacy privately.
for more information and consultation regarding your travels and the risk of TBE in that area, please do ring us or book a consultation on our website.
hand in hand with the vaccination to reduce the chances of you being bitten by a tick when you are outside and in high risk areas, regularly check your clothes and if you see a tick brush it off before it gets a chance to bite, wear light colored clothes, long sleeves and trousers, enclose any gap your clothing may create and expose your skin as a result, use DEET( available to purchase at the pharmacy), and overall try and avoid paths that are most likely to have ticks on their surrounding plants.
Further information can be found on the following link:
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