Tick-borne encephalitis is an acute infectious disease, the virus of which is transmitted by ticks to humans, causing damage to the brain and spinal cord with the development of paralysis and paresis.
The virus enters the human body when a tick is sucked on, when it is crushed by fingers through abrasions on the skin, or when consuming unboiled goat or cow milk. The first symptoms appear 3-15 days, sometimes 2 months after infection. In recent decades, the febrile form has become more frequent (from 15 to 40% of cases of the total number of cases). It is characterized by: a sudden high rise in body temperature to 38-39°C. A long-term subfibrillation that occurs in the first 4 days, up to several months, when the temperature continues to remain at the level of 37.2-37.4 ° C. But since tick-borne encephalitis is a neuroinfection (i.e., a disease whose pathogens affect the central nervous system), it is most often characterized in the initial stages by headache, dizziness, nausea and repeated vomiting, a rapid rise in temperature to 38°C and above, pain in the muscles of the neck and limbs, redness of the face. Very quickly, in the first days of the disease,convulsions and disturbance of consciousness from lethargy to coma or psychomotor agitation are combined. Such severe forms are accompanied by paralysis and paresis. Up to 10% of cases annually result in death.
The most severe forms of the disease occur with multiple tick bites, when they are localized in the neck, head, and lymphatic vessels. The disease becomes more severe when drinking unboiled milk (if it contains the tick-borne encephalitis virus). In addition, the state of a person’s immunity is of great importance: the higher the protective forces, the easier it is to cope with infections; as well as the availability of a course of vaccinations: if the vaccination schedule is not met, the degree of protection weakens and the disease can take a severe course.
To prevent tick-borne encephalitis, highly effective vaccines of domestic and foreign production are used. The vaccination course is carried out according to a certain scheme and begins in September-November. Ends in spring. There is also an emergency vaccination scheme, which is done twice in March-April. The main thing is that the last vaccination is given 14 days before leaving for the territory where there are ticks. Subsequently, repeated vaccinations to maintain immunity are given once every 1 year and then every 3 years.
What to do to prevent the virus from entering the body?
- for going into the forest and working in a summer cottage, you should choose clothes with long sleeves, high shoes or boots, and a hat;
- use repellents - means to repel ticks;
- inspect open areas of the body and things every 30-40 minutes; ticks found on things must be removed and burned;
- for relaxation, choose an open, sunny clearing away from grass and bushes; - drink only pasteurized milk or whole milk after 5 minutes of boiling;
- you can use the antiviral drug yodantipirin during your stay in places where there is a risk of tick bites, or after tick bites.
What to do if a tick has attached itself to the body? Using gentle rotating movements, try to remove the tick so as to keep it intact. If you cannot do this yourself, go to the nearest emergency room or medical facility. After removing the tick, treat the wound with alcohol or tincture of iodine. Place the tick in a closed jar on a damp rag and deliver it to a virology laboratory. If this happened on a weekend evening, then store the tick in the lower chamber of the refrigerator until Monday.
What tests are carried out to identify the encephalitis virus? The fastest result (within 24 hours) is obtained by examining a live tick. A blood test is also carried out on the victim, but this research will take several days.
Why is it important to examine a live tick? Because the encephalitis virus is detected in the body of only a living tick when examined. This fastest diagnostic method allows, in case of a positive result, in the first 96 hours from the moment of tick bite, an injection of immunoglobulin is given to protect against the development of infection.
Do I need to see a doctor? After a tick has been sucked on, it is necessary to measure your body temperature daily for 30 days. If you feel unwell, weak, have a headache, or have an increase in body temperature, you should immediately contact your local clinic.
Take care of your health!
.
