What are the symptoms of encephalitis tick in humans and after how many days do they appear? - briefly
Fever, intense headache, neck stiffness, confusion, possible rash, and neurological signs such as seizures or focal deficits are the common clinical manifestations; symptoms usually emerge 5–10 days after the tick bite, occasionally extending to two weeks.
What are the symptoms of encephalitis tick in humans and after how many days do they appear? - in detail
Tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) presents after an incubation interval that typically ranges from 7 to 14 days following a bite from an infected Ixodes tick. In a minority of cases, the period may be as short as 4 days or extend to 28 days, depending on viral load and host factors.
The disease progresses through two distinct phases. The first phase lasts 1–5 days and is characterized by nonspecific, flu‑like symptoms:
- abrupt fever (often >38.5 °C)
- severe headache
- malaise and weakness
- muscle and joint aches
- nausea, sometimes vomiting
- occasional photophobia
These manifestations resolve spontaneously, leading to a brief asymptomatic interval of 2–10 days. The second phase, when it occurs (approximately 30‑50 % of infections), involves central nervous system involvement and may begin abruptly after the symptom‑free gap. Neurological signs appear within 2–7 days of the second phase onset and include:
- high fever persisting beyond 48 hours
- stiff neck and meningeal irritation
- intense headache, often localized to the occipital region
- altered mental status: confusion, disorientation, agitation
- seizures, especially in severe cases
- focal neurological deficits: paresis, ataxia, tremor, cranial nerve palsies
- sensory disturbances: paresthesia, hyperesthesia
- speech impairment and dysphagia
In children, the second phase frequently manifests as meningo‑encephalitis with prominent irritability and lethargy, while adults more often develop encephalitic forms with pronounced motor dysfunction. The overall duration of the neurological phase varies from several days to weeks; recovery may be incomplete, leaving residual cognitive or motor deficits in a subset of patients.
Early recognition of the initial flu‑like stage, especially after a known tick exposure in endemic regions, permits prompt laboratory testing (serum IgM/IgG ELISA) and supportive care. Antiviral therapy is not available; treatment relies on hospitalization, intensive monitoring, and management of complications such as seizures and elevated intracranial pressure.