Did you know these Facts about Tick-borne Encephalitis?
Tick-borne encephalitis
or TBE is a viral infectious disease affecting the central nervous system. It
is caused by the TBEV or Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). It was
originally isolated in 1937. There are three virus subtypes. They are -
● European or Western tick-borne
encephalitis virus
● Siberian tick-borne encephalitis virus
● Far eastern Tick-borne encephalitis virus
What is tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)?
Tick-borne encephalitis
(TBE) is a severe disease caused by a virus spread through the tick bites. You
can also get TBE by eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products like milk
and cheese from infected cows, sheep, or goats.
What are the symptoms of TBE?
The symptoms of TBE
include,
● Fever
● Achiness
● Loss of appetite
● A headache
● Nausea
● Vomiting
In 20-30% patients
infected with TBE suffer from swelling of the brain and spinal cord, sensory
disturbances and confusion. Around 1% people die from TBE.
Who is at risk?
TBE is found in many
parts of Asia and Europe (from eastern France to northern Japan and from north
Russia to Albania). Thousands of cases are reported every year, but there are
plausibly many other cases which do not get reported. The highest number of TBE
cases occurs in Russia. Other countries with high risk for TBE disease are
Estonia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland,
Switzerland, Slovenia, Sweden, Japan, China, South Korea and Mongolia.
Travellers are more likely to get TBE in mostly in early and late summer from
April through November. If you are travelling through the forested areas where
ticks are prevalent, the chances of getting TBE are high.
Signs and Symptoms
● The incubation period of Tick-borne
encephalitis is usually between 7-14 days and is asymptomatic.
● In contrast to the far-eastern TBE,
European TBE is more critical in adults than in children where meningitis is
more commonly observed.
● In approximately two-thirds of
individuals infected with the European TBE virus, only an early (viremic) phase
is endured. Its symptoms are nonspecific and may involve malaise, fever, muscle
aches, anorexia, nausea, headache, and vomiting.
● After about 8-9 days of remission, the
second stage of disease occurs in 20 - 30% of patients. Such patients might
experience an illness which involves the central nervous system with symptoms
of meningitis, meningoencephalitis or encephalitis.
● The recovery period can be prolonged, and
the incidence of sequelae may vary with long-term or the permanent neurologic
symptoms.
Treatment
There is no precise drug
therapy for TBE. Meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis needs
immediate hospitalisation and better medical care based on the severity of the
symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs, like as corticosteroids, may be considered
under special circumstances for symptomatic relief. You should consult with
your doctor and get the necessary medicines from any travel
health clinic Northampton. Early diagnosis and good medical
care can help to counter the TBE.
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