Ticks have already woken up this spring, so it’s time to start looking out for them. Toma Gečienė, a pharmacist at “Eurovaistinės”, says that although people are well acquainted with tick-borne encephalitis, they usually come to get vaccinated only after encountering this disease in their close environment – when a relative, colleague or neighbor falls ill. However, she urges you not to take risks and get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis in advance and shares 5 less-heard facts about tick-borne diseases.
- One-third of those who fell ill have consequences
“Tick-borne encephalitis is an incurable disease that can damage the brain and peripheral nerves. Looking at the statistics of the incidence of this disease in Europe, even a third of people who contracted tick-borne encephalitis did not fully recover and live with such residual effects as constant headaches, inability to concentrate, sleep disorders, behavioral changes. Sometimes paralysis is inevitable. However, this can be prevented by vaccinating against tick-borne encephalitis”, says T. Gečienė, pharmacist of Eurovaistinė.
2. Mark the date of the bite on the calendar
It only takes 10 minutes for a tick to transmit tick-borne encephalitis to us through saliva, pharmacist T. Gečienė says. However, the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis do not appear immediately, but within a couple of weeks. Therefore, after pulling out the tick, be sure to mark the date of its ingestion in the calendar. Over the next 2 weeks, watch for cold symptoms, fever, headaches, and general weakness. If you notice at least one of them, it is important to get tested for tick-borne encephalitis.
3. Don’t ignore joint pain
The pharmacist says that it is already well known to everyone that Lyme disease can be recognized by the reddened circle on the skin in the place where the tick was sucked in. However, even the simplest pain in a joint and its heating, when you feel warmth when you touch your hand, can betray the disease. This joint is often located near the bite site. Then it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible, because Lyme disease, unlike tick-borne encephalitis, can be treated with antibiotics if detected in time.
4. No oils and clockwise rotations
“I still hear stories of people pulling the tick and trying to rotate it in different clockwise directions. Indeed, when grasped with tweezers, it should be pulled sharply and straight towards you. Another thing you shouldn’t do is apply oil to an infected tick. It will start to suffocate from the fat and thus release twice as many infectious agents into your body,” says pharmacist T. Gečienė.
5. Immunity within 1.5 months
The pharmacist says that people who have been vaccinated today can already have partially acquired immunity to tick-borne encephalitis in a month and a half. After completing the full primary vaccination plan, which consists of three doses of the vaccine, we acquire immunity that provides reliable protection. The second vaccination can be given just 14 days or 1 month after the first. Then 70 percent is formed. protection And the third dose should arrive 5-12 months after the second vaccination. After completing the main vaccination schedule, a maintenance dose is required after 3 years. It is very important that vaccinations arrive on time, so it is recommended to mark the vaccination dates in the vaccination passport or calendar.