What does a forest tick look like and what symptoms does encephalitis cause? - briefly
A forest tick is a small, oval arachnid about 2–5 mm long, reddish‑brown with a dark dorsal shield and eight visible legs. Encephalitis typically causes fever, intense headache, neck stiffness, altered consciousness, and may lead to seizures or focal neurological deficits.
What does a forest tick look like and what symptoms does encephalitis cause? - in detail
Forest ticks are small arachnids, typically 2–5 mm in unfed adult length. The dorsal shield (scutum) is dark brown to black, often with a lighter, mottled pattern that can aid identification. The body is oval, divided into a gnathosoma (mouthparts) and idiosoma (main body). The gnathosoma bears a pair of chelicerae and a hypostome with backward‑pointing barbs that anchor the tick to host skin. Six legs, each ending in a small claw, are visible on the ventral side; the first pair may be longer in males. Males lack a fully engorged scutum, appearing flatter, while females expand dramatically when feeding, increasing to 10 mm or more and turning a reddish‑brown hue as blood fills their abdomen.
Encephalitis, inflammation of brain tissue, presents with a rapid progression of neurological signs. Common manifestations include:
- High fever (often >38 °C) accompanied by chills
- Severe, throbbing headache resistant to analgesics
- Neck stiffness and photophobia indicating meningeal irritation
- Altered consciousness ranging from confusion to coma
- Disorientation, memory loss, or difficulty concentrating
- Focal neurological deficits such as weakness, aphasia, or visual field cuts
- Seizures, both generalized and focal, sometimes progressing to status epilepticus
- Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Motor incoordination, ataxia, or gait disturbances
These symptoms typically develop within days of infection and may worsen within 24–48 hours. Early recognition and prompt medical intervention are essential to reduce mortality and limit long‑term cognitive or motor impairment.