You may be someone who loves to go hiking in the woods or climbing mountains. Or you may be planning a trip to some parts of Europe or Asia. At such times, you should also think about being careful of small animals, namely ticks. Today we are going to talk about a disease that can be transmitted by such ticks, and which can be a little serious. That is Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) .
What is tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)?
Simply put, (TBE) is a viral disease transmitted by ticks . Many people who get it do not show any symptoms. Some people experience symptoms like a common cold or flu and get better in a few days. However, for some people, it can be a little more severe. That is, it can affect the nervous system , causing serious complications such as loss of consciousness and paralysis. There is also a vaccine for those who are at high risk.
This (TBE) virus is mainly found in parts of Europe and Asia . There are three main subtypes of this virus, depending on the region: European, Far Eastern and Siberian. According to current information, this (TBE) virus is not transmitted by ticks in the Americas. Although it is not very common in Sri Lanka, it is very important to be aware of this if you are traveling to these countries.
What are the symptoms of this (TBE) disease?
(TBE) symptoms can usually appear in two stages .
The first symptoms begin about a week after a tick bite. They include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body pain
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Appetite
These symptoms usually subside within a few days, sometimes a week. However, later, sometimes several weeks later, some people may develop secondary neurological symptoms . These include:
- High fever
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light, meaning difficulty looking at light (photophobia)
- Confusion or change in mental status
- Muscle weakness
- Neck stiffness
- Conditions such as facial paralysis
- Symptoms of epilepsy (seizures)
Imagine that you went hiking in a forested area in Europe and after a few days you developed a fever and felt weak. Then it subsided a bit, then you started to have a fever again, and you started vomiting with a headache, and it could be TBE. So it's best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
What causes this (TBE)?
(TBE) is caused by a virus . This virus is called `(TBEV)`. It is a virus that belongs to the genus `(Flavivirus)` and the family `(Flaviridae)`. As we discussed earlier, there are three subtypes of this:
- European type: This is transmitted by a species of tick called `(Ixodes ricinus)` (also known as the castor bean tick). It can be seen in parts of Eastern, Central, and Northern Europe. It is most common in countries like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
- Far Eastern type: This is transmitted by a species of tick called `(Ixodes persulcatus)` (also known as the taiga tick). It is found in countries such as eastern Russia, China, and Japan. It is also called Russian spring-summer encephalitis.
- Siberian type: This is also transmitted by the same tick (Ixodes persulcatus). It can be found in Siberia, the Ural Mountains, and parts of northeastern Europe in Russia.
How is this disease (TBE) spread?
The (TBE) virus is mainly spread by the bite of an infected tick . The ticks that carry this virus live in the forested areas of Europe and Asia.
It has also been found that the disease can be transmitted through drinking unpasteurized milk and dairy products, and, rarely, through breastfeeding. Therefore, if you travel to these areas, it is better to be a little careful when consuming dairy products from unknown sources.
What are the complications of (TBE) disease?
The main complications of TBE are swelling of the brain, or encephalitis, and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningitis . These conditions are what cause the symptoms of the second stage of TBE. These can sometimes cause permanent damage . These include:
- Paralysis
- Memory loss
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Problems with speech and language use
It's a bit scary to hear these things. However, if you are properly informed and take the necessary steps, you can reduce this risk.
How is TBE diagnosed?
Doctors will look at your symptoms and recent travel history to diagnose TBE. For example, they may ask if you have recently traveled to an area of Asia or Europe where ticks that carry the virus (TBEV) are common.
To confirm the diagnosis, you may also need to have a blood test or a spinal tap . Although this can be a bit scary, it is a very important test for diagnosis.
Even if you don't remember being bitten by a tick, if you've been to an area where ticks may be present and develop symptoms like those mentioned earlier, you should definitely tell your doctor .
What are the treatments for (TBE) disease?
In fact, there is no specific treatment for (TBE) disease. That is, there is still no specific medicine to destroy this virus.
However, to help manage symptoms and recover:
- Drinking plenty of water
- To rest
- Using common painkillers (as prescribed by a doctor)
You can do things like that.
If the disease becomes severe, they are hospitalized and treated under the supervision of doctors. Some people may even need to be connected to a breathing machine (mechanical ventilation) if they have difficulty breathing.
What should I expect if I get (TBE)?
The symptoms you may experience if you contract TBE can vary depending on the subtype of the virus . The European and Siberian subtypes are less likely to cause neurological complications than the Far Eastern subtype. However, the Siberian subtype can sometimes cause long-term or chronic illness .
If you are diagnosed with TBE, it is possible that neurological symptoms may appear up to 20 days after the initial symptoms have resolved.
When it comes to the mortality rate from TBE, it is less than 3% for European and Siberian TBE. However, it can be as high as 35% for Far Eastern TBE. That is why it is important to be aware of this and protect yourself.
When should I see a doctor/go to the emergency room?
If you have been in an area where ticks may be present and develop symptoms such as fever or chills, see a doctor immediately . The doctor will then advise you on how to take care of yourself at home and what serious symptoms to watch out for.
When to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) :
If you experience these severe symptoms, you should go to a hospital emergency room immediately:
- Very high fever (over 103 Fahrenheit/40 Celsius)
- Very severe headache
- Confusion or change in mental status
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive loss of body weight
- Paralysis
- Symptoms of epilepsy (seizures)
What questions should I ask the doctor?
When you see a doctor, it can be helpful to ask questions like these:
- How do I get vaccinated if I am traveling to an area where TBE is common?
- How should I take care of myself from home?
- Am I at risk of developing severe symptoms?
- What symptoms should I look out for?
How can you protect yourself from this disease (TBE)?
The best way to protect yourself from (TBE) infection is to get vaccinated . People who are at high risk of infection, such as those who engage in outdoor activities in areas where ticks carry the (TBEV) virus, can get this vaccine. If you are traveling to such a country, talk to a doctor about this before you go.
You can also reduce your risk of being bitten by ticks by :
- Wear long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors in areas where ticks may be present.
- Use a bug repellent containing DEET .
- After returning from the outdoors , check yourself and your pets for ticks . Check areas you can't see, such as the head, neck, and back, even if someone else does.
- Talk to your veterinarian about how to protect your outdoor pets from ticks.
- Keep the grass in your garden cut short .
Finally, avoid drinking unpasteurized milk or dairy products (like ice cream and cheese) as they may contain the TBEV virus.
What is the difference between (TBE) and Lyme disease?
Although both TBE and Lyme disease are tick-borne diseases, they are two different diseases.
- (TBE) is caused by a virus , and there is no specific treatment for it.
- Lyme disease is caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics.
Lyme disease is also prevalent in some areas of Europe and Asia where TBE is prevalent. However, TBE is not transmitted by ticks in the Americas (although Lyme disease is).
Sometimes it's hard to know if an insect bite is just a nuisance or something more serious. But it's always a good idea to be aware of what diseases can be transmitted by animals like ticks in the areas you live or travel to. If you're at risk, you can take steps to protect yourself.
Finally, things to remember
Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease transmitted by ticks, which can be serious. It is especially important to be aware of this if you are traveling to some forested areas in Europe and Asia.
The most important thing is awareness and safety. If you are traveling to a risk area, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Follow the recommended precautions to protect yourself from ticks. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop symptoms.
With these things in mind, you can plan your travels without fear. Stay healthy!
` TBE, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, ticks, brain fever, viral diseases, travel health, symptoms
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