What should you do when bitten by an encephalitis‑carrying tick? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly with fine‑point tweezers, clean the bite area, and contact a healthcare professional for assessment and possible prophylactic treatment. Follow any medical advice regarding observation, testing, or vaccination.
What should you do when bitten by an encephalitis‑carrying tick? - in detail
When a tick capable of transmitting encephalitis attaches to the skin, act without delay. First, eliminate the parasite using fine‑point tweezers or a dedicated tick‑removal tool. Grip the tick as close to the epidermis as possible, pull upward with steady, even pressure, and avoid twisting or crushing the body. After removal, place the specimen in a sealed container for later identification if required.
Clean the bite site and your hands with soap and water or an alcohol‑based antiseptic. Do not apply topical antibiotics or folk remedies; they do not affect disease transmission.
Seek professional medical assessment promptly, ideally within 24 hours. Provide the health‑care provider with details: date of exposure, geographic area, duration of attachment (ticks transmit more efficiently after 24–48 hours), and whether the tick was identified as a known vector. The clinician may:
- Order serologic testing for tick‑borne encephalitis antibodies.
- Recommend a booster of the encephalitis vaccine if the individual is unvaccinated or out‑of‑date.
- Prescribe a short course of antiviral medication in rare cases where early treatment is indicated.
- Advise observation for the next 14 days, noting any neurological signs such as fever, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, or motor weakness.
During the observation period, record temperature twice daily and monitor for the following symptoms:
- Sudden fever exceeding 38 °C (100.4 °F).
- Severe headache or neck rigidity.
- Photophobia or visual disturbances.
- Disorientation, irritability, or seizures.
- Muscle weakness, especially in the limbs or facial muscles.
If any of these manifestations appear, contact emergency services immediately. Early hospital admission improves outcomes because supportive care and, when indicated, antiviral therapy are most effective before extensive neuronal damage occurs.
After the acute phase, follow up with the treating physician to confirm seroconversion or to document a negative result. Document the incident in personal health records and inform local public‑health authorities, which may use the data for surveillance and preventive measures.
Preventive actions for future exposure include wearing long sleeves and trousers in endemic areas, applying permethrin‑treated clothing, using EPA‑registered repellents on exposed skin, and performing thorough body checks after outdoor activities. Maintaining up‑to‑date vaccination against tick‑borne encephalitis provides the most reliable protection against severe disease.