What are the first signs of encephalitis after a tick bite in a person and when do they appear? - briefly
Early encephalitis following a tick bite usually manifests with fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and sometimes confusion or photophobia, appearing within 7‑21 days after exposure.
What are the first signs of encephalitis after a tick bite in a person and when do they appear? - in detail
Tick‑borne encephalitis typically begins with a prodromal period lasting 3–7 days after the bite. During this interval the patient often experiences fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, and general malaise. These systemic manifestations may be the only clues that an infection has been acquired.
Neurological involvement usually appears 7–14 days post‑exposure, although cases have been reported up to a month later. The earliest central‑nervous‑system signs include:
- Sudden onset of high fever that persists despite antipyretics.
- Intense, throbbing headache, frequently localized to the occipital or frontal region.
- Neck stiffness or pain on passive flexion, indicating meningeal irritation.
- Photophobia and phonophobia, reflecting increased sensory sensitivity.
- Altered mental status ranging from mild confusion to disorientation.
If the disease progresses, additional features may develop:
- Focal neurological deficits such as weakness, facial palsy, or ataxia.
- Seizure activity, often generalized tonic‑clonic.
- Visual disturbances, including blurred vision or double vision.
The transition from the systemic phase to the neurological phase marks the onset of encephalitic involvement. Prompt medical evaluation is essential as early antiviral therapy and supportive care improve outcomes. Monitoring for the described signs within the first two weeks after a tick bite enables timely diagnosis and intervention.