What should you do if bitten by an encephalitic tick and how to treat it? - briefly
Immediately remove the tick with fine‑tipped tweezers, clean the bite site, and contact a medical professional for evaluation and possible prophylactic treatment (e.g., doxycycline or antiviral therapy). Monitor for fever, headache, or neurological signs and report any symptoms without delay.
What should you do if bitten by an encephalitic tick and how to treat it? - in detail
If a tick that can transmit encephalitis attaches, act without delay. Remove the parasite with fine‑point tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight upward. Disinfect the bite site with an antiseptic, then wash hands thoroughly. Record the date and location of the bite, and keep the tick in a sealed container for possible identification.
Seek professional medical evaluation promptly. Inform the clinician that the bite occurred in an area where tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) is endemic. The doctor will likely:
- Perform a physical examination focusing on the bite and nervous system.
- Order laboratory tests such as TBE‑specific IgM/IgG serology and, if available, PCR on blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
- Assess vaccination status; prior immunization against TBE reduces disease severity.
Treatment is primarily supportive. If early infection is confirmed, consider the following interventions:
- Hospital admission for close monitoring of neurological signs (headache, fever, neck stiffness, altered consciousness, seizures).
- Intravenous fluids and antipyretics to control fever.
- Antiviral agents are not routinely effective; ribavirin may be used experimentally in severe cases, but evidence is limited.
- Administration of specific immunoglobulin is not standard practice.
- In patients lacking prior vaccination, a single dose of TBE vaccine may be given after exposure, although protection is not immediate.
Continuous observation for at least 14 days is essential because symptoms can appear up to two weeks post‑bite. If neurological manifestations develop, initiate intensive care measures, including respiratory support and seizure control. Follow‑up serology after 2–4 weeks confirms seroconversion and helps assess disease progression.
Preventive measures for future exposure include wearing protective clothing, using tick‑repellent substances, and maintaining up‑to‑date TBE vaccination in endemic regions.