Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that can have various causes, including bacteria, viruses, autoimmune processes, and others. In our geographical region, special attention should be paid to tick-borne encephalitis, which is transmitted by adult ticks. Infection can occur through a tick bite, as well as through the milk of infected animals.
Tick-borne encephalitis is resistant to low temperatures, so the risk of infection exists not only in spring and summer, but also in autumn and even in winter.
Tick-borne encephalitis is a dangerous disease for all age groups. It threatens people not only during the acute phase of the illness, but can also cause serious and long-lasting health problems after recovery.
What are the signs of tick-borne encephalitis?
The disease begins suddenly, with a sharp rise in body temperature, vomiting, and severe headaches. The temperature may rise in waves and remain elevated for a prolonged period. Tick-borne encephalitis may also cause disturbances of consciousness, loss of consciousness, photosensitivity, and pain and stiffness in the neck, especially if meningoencephalitis develops.
Quite often, the signs of tick-borne encephalitis are less pronounced and may be mistaken for flu or cold symptoms. However, the mildness of symptoms does not reduce the consequences of the disease. Inflammation in the brain may cause movement disorders and may affect the spinal cord, leading to flaccid paralysis — the patient may be unable to hold up the head or shoulders and unable to move the arms. Facial muscle paralysis, seizures, and breathing disorders may also occur. In severe cases, the disease may affect the respiratory center in the brainstem.
Why is tick-borne encephalitis dangerous?
There are no specific medicines for tick-borne encephalitis — it cannot be cured with antibiotics or other medications. During the acute phase, medical treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, while after the acute stage prolonged rehabilitation may be needed, including physiotherapy, physical medicine procedures, and other supportive therapies.
It is often difficult to predict how the disease will progress and what the patient’s quality of life will be after recovering from tick-borne encephalitis. If the virus spreads to the brain and meninges and meningoencephalitis develops, the condition can become very serious.
The long-term consequences of tick-borne encephalitis may include:
memory impairment;
inability to concentrate;
unexplained personality changes;
balance problems;
speech disorders;
loss of consciousness;
paresthesia and paralysis.
Immunity against tick-borne encephalitis
Although, after recovering from tick-borne encephalitis, a person usually develops stable immunity, this is not the right way to acquire immunity, because the course of the disease and its consequences are severe and unpredictable. The most convenient and safest protection against tick-borne encephalitis is preventive vaccination.
Vaccination is especially important for people who frequently and for long periods spend time outdoors, as well as for those traveling to regions affected by tick-borne encephalitis.
Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis: Vaccination schedules
Accelerated schedule
(recommended in spring/summer)
The first two doses are given at a two-week interval and provide immunity for one year. The third dose is given after 5–12 months. Booster vaccination then follows the standard schedule.
Standard schedule
The first two doses are given at an interval of one to three months and provide immunity for one year. The third dose should be received within 5–12 months after the second dose and provides immunity for three years. To maintain immunity, the first booster should be given after three years, and subsequent boosters every 10 years.
For a short time after vaccination, the injection site may be sensitive, and a temporary rise in temperature may occur, which usually resolves within a couple of days.