Tick-Borne Encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis is an infectious disease of a viral nature that affects the central and peripheral nervous system. The disease often causes serious complications, including paralysis and death.

The carriers of the virus are ixodid ticks, which live in the forest-steppe zone of the temperate climate of Eurasia. The main danger is posed by two species: Ixodes Persulcatus (taiga tick) in the Asian part of Russia and Ixodes Ricinus (European forest tick) in the European part.

The peak activity of ticks and, accordingly, infection of people occurs in the spring and summer. Infection occurs during the tick's suction during blood sucking. In females, blood sucking can last several days, during which time they increase in size 100 times. In males, blood sucking lasts only a few hours. Transmission of the virus usually occurs in the first minutes of suction.

In addition, the virus is transmitted through the milk of infected animals.

There are three main subtypes of tick-borne encephalitis virus: Western, Siberian and Far Eastern. The Far Eastern subtype is the most severe and in 30% of cases ends in death.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis:

1. The incubation period is from 1 to 30 days.

2. Weakness in the limbs, numbness of the skin.

3. Fever, chills, headaches, nausea, fatigue, sleep disturbances, muscle pain.

4. Impaired consciousness that persists after recovery.

5. Various forms of the disease are possible.

If suspicious symptoms appear, urgent hospitalization for treatment is necessary.

The best prevention is vaccination. It is also important to use repellents and immediately remove attached ticks. To destroy the virus, you can use drugs, such as yodantipyrine or anafreon.