What to do in case of tick-borne encephalitis? - briefly
Seek prompt medical evaluation for diagnostic testing and, if confirmed, begin antiviral treatment and supportive care under physician supervision; monitor neurological symptoms closely and follow vaccination recommendations for future prevention.
What to do in case of tick-borne encephalitis? - in detail
If a tick bite is followed by fever, headache, neck stiffness, or neurological symptoms, immediate medical assessment is required. Do not wait for symptoms to resolve on their own.
- Seek emergency care – go to the nearest hospital or call emergency services if severe neurological signs appear (confusion, seizures, paralysis).
- Inform the clinician about recent tick exposure – provide details on the date of the bite, geographic location, and any removal method used.
- Allow laboratory confirmation – the physician will order serological tests (IgM/IgG antibodies) and possibly PCR analysis of blood or cerebrospinal fluid to verify infection.
- Begin antiviral therapy – if diagnosis is confirmed, the standard treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or supportive care; specific antivirals are not available, so management focuses on reducing inflammation and preventing complications.
- Monitor vital functions – continuous observation of temperature, respiratory status, and neurological level is essential. Adjust supportive measures (ventilation, antiepileptic drugs) as needed.
- Provide symptomatic relief – antipyretics for fever, analgesics for headache, and anti‑emetics for nausea help improve comfort.
- Implement rehabilitation – after acute phase, schedule physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and neuropsychological evaluation to address residual deficits.
- Report the case – notify local public health authorities to aid surveillance and vaccination campaigns.
Preventive actions for future risk
- Vaccination – receive the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine according to the recommended schedule in endemic regions.
- Protective clothing – wear long sleeves, trousers, and tick‑repellent-treated garments when entering wooded or grassy areas.
- Tick checks – inspect the body thoroughly within 24 hours after exposure; remove attached ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping the head close to the skin and pulling steadily.
- Landscape management – keep lawns trimmed, remove leaf litter, and create barriers (e.g., wood chip mulch) between forest edges and recreational zones to reduce tick habitat.
Prompt medical intervention, accurate diagnosis, and structured supportive care together minimize the risk of permanent neurological damage. Continuous vigilance and vaccination remain the most effective strategies to avoid infection altogether.