The terrible tick-borne encephalitis and how to protect yourself from it

If previously experienced people, going for a walk in the woods, beware of wolves, now - mites. And it's more than reasonable. One almost imperceptible bite can carry over a dozen unpleasant (and in severe cases - even fatal) consequences.

Layfhaker understood with one of the common and dangerous infections often tick-borne - tick-borne encephalitis.

What is a tick-borne encephalitis

Without going into details, it is a virus that can cause inflammation of certain areas of the brain: the actual encephalitis or related to it meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

As a rule, the infection enters the body after a tick bite. In rare cases, the cause of the infection can become raw milk of infected animals (cows, goats), on which the mites and cling to the virus.

What are the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis

This infection - one of the most insidious. At first, especially if the person does not know that somewhere in your hair or armpit he sat down bloodsucker, tick-borne encephalitis generally does not manifest itself.

The incubation period from this infection can lastTick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) up to 14 days, during which nothing even nameknot that the infection is already in the body.

Further, the symptoms also do not cause particular concern:

1. A slight indisposition.
2. Aching muscles, though overtrain or somewhere to chill.
3. Headache.
4. The temperature rise, sometimes insignificant.

At the initial stage of tick-borne encephalitis symptoms resemble flu or even normal cold. Few links malaise with a walk in the forest, which happened a couple of weeks ago. Especially that most of the "common cold" phase should be improved, when it seems that quite well.

Indeed, some are lucky: the immune system defeats the infection. However, about 30% freewheeling deterioration occurs contagionTick-borne encephalitisFollowed by a rapid and significant rise in temperature and the symptoms of nervous system.

The more dangerous encephalitis

Damage to the nervous system can develop both on the type of encephalitis (disturbance of consciousness and motor activity until paralysis individual limbs or the entire body), and meningitis (fever, severe headache, stiff - petrification - neck muscle) or mixed forms.

The older or infirm people, the higher the risk. Depending on the subtype TBE mortality isStructure of tick-borne encephalitis virus and its neutralization by a monoclonal antibody from 1-2% (Central European subtype) to 20% (Far East).

But even if it did not come to death, the infection can cause serious neurological disorders (mental problems, disruption of the locomotor system up to the paralysis of limbs, loss of vision and hearing, and so on), which will continue to end of life.

according to statistics,Is there a natural immunity to the virus of tick-borne encephalitis?, Carriers TBE mites are Six out of 100. Thus ill from 2 to 6% of people bitten.

The problem is that to know in advance, you are lucky and you get the number of seriously injured, it is impossible. There are too many important factors. For example, the personal characteristics of the immune system. Or subtype (Far mites are much more dangerous than the European and Siberian, and while each of them can be found on the whole territory of Russia). And of course, the dose of virus, injected into the blood stream insects.

It is therefore crucial time - preferably as early as possible - to identify tick-borne encephalitis and appropriate treatment.

How to recognize a tick-borne encephalitis

It all depends on when you suspected something.

You found yourself mite

How to manually remove the bloodsuckers have Layfhaker I wrote. However, you can do so:

On the right, in any case, do not dispose of the insect. Ideal - take it for analysis to the virology laboratory (these are available both in public and in private centers). Addresses of laboratories and the prevention of tick-borne infections points in Russia can be found here. It is important to observe the following conditions:

1. Mite put into a test tube or a small container with a tight lid. Preferably - on cotton wool soaked with water.
2. The analysis should be carried out not later than three days after removal of the insect. It is so much in the body is stored bloodsucker required for DNA analysis.
3. Spend analysis not only on the tick-borne encephalitis, but also to borreliosis (Lyme disease). This infection also carry ticks, and it is just as dangerous.

If an insect analysis gives a positive result, the lab will give you help on this and referral to an infectious diseases doctor.

At this stage you can make an emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis - enter immunoglobulin. However, there are a number of nuances. Firstly, such prophylaxis is effective only for three days after a bite - that is, you can not have time to get corny results mite analysis. Secondly, we have several ways of contraindications, including an allergy to components of the preparation. Third, not the fact that you find the desired immunoglobulin in your or neighboring clinics: have to apply to the commercial centers.

You got a positive test or suspect at symptoms

The good news is that even if the test was positive, it does not mean that you are infected. The bad news is set yes or no, did not immediately succeed. Blood tests for tick-borne encephalitis is effectiveWhat should I do if bitten by a tick only 10 days after the bite. Antibodies (IgM) tick-borne encephalitis virus, which show whether the body fights infection, can be detected no earlier than two weeks after the bite.

If you tick on yourself is not found, but associate with the recent deterioration in the forest walk, see a physician. An experienced physician will conduct inspection, ask about symptoms (for tick-borne encephalitis are similar to symptoms of other diseases: flu, Cerebral vascular pathologies, poliomyelitis, tumors of the central nervous system, and here it is important not to confuse) and, if necessary, send you to infectious diseases. Then - on tests.

How to treat encephalitis

Specific treatment of tick-borne encephalitis - that is, a treatment that could eliminate the cause of the disease - does not exist. If confirmed encephalitis hospitalized victims: it's easier to relieve the symptoms and control the condition.

In some cases, it may be assigned to the antiviral drug based on yodofenazona. He holds back the spread of infection and immunity.

How to protect yourself from tick-borne encephalitis

1. Going to the nature, wear high shoes, long pants and long-sleeved clothing. Pant legs tucked into boots, high socks and T-shirts and shirts - pants. Mandatory headgear. Well, if the clothing is light and uniform color: notice her mite easier.
2. While you are in nature, regularly inspect the clothes (including the people around them) and open areas of the body: arms, neck and so on.
3. Avoid forest areas with high grass and bushes. Especially in April - July, when ticks are active. Most often, mites choose to hunt shaded grassy places marked then warm-blooded animals, so try not to walk on the paths of livestock.
4. Use repellents containing permethrin insecticide and chemical compound diethyltoluamide (DEET). They should be sprayed on clothing rather than skin.
5. Upon returning home, carefully wash the clothes at a temperature not lower than 60 ° C. The fact that the larvae of mites are very small and they can not be overlooked.
6. Take a shower. Carefully inspect and palpate the body, especially the scalp and the area behind the knees. To inspect hard-to areas, such as the back, draw near.
7. Do not drink raw milk of cows and goats, of which the contents do not have a clue.
8. If you need better protection, consult your doctor about vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis. The vaccine helps your body to develop antibodies in advance, which are then easily beat off the tick-borne attack. However, there is a significant caveat: it makes sense to be vaccinated before the start of the warm season, it is desirable even during the winter. Was to the effect, you will need to enter two doses, which will go on about six weeks.