What will happen if an encephalitic tick bites a person? - briefly
A bite from a tick infected with an encephalitis virus can introduce the pathogen, causing fever, headache, and possible brain inflammation that may lead to seizures or paralysis. Immediate medical evaluation and appropriate antiviral or supportive treatment are essential to prevent severe complications.
What will happen if an encephalitic tick bites a person? - in detail
A bite from a tick infected with tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) virus introduces the pathogen into the skin and bloodstream. The virus begins replicating locally before spreading to the central nervous system. The clinical course typically follows three stages.
Incubation – The interval between the bite and the first symptoms lasts 7–14 days, occasionally extending to 28 days. During this period the individual feels well; no laboratory abnormalities are detectable.
First (flu‑like) phase – Fever, headache, malaise, myalgia, and sometimes gastrointestinal upset appear abruptly. Laboratory tests often reveal mild leukocytosis and elevated C‑reactive protein. Symptoms resolve spontaneously within 2–5 days in most cases, but a subset progresses to the second phase.
Second (neurological) phase – Occurs in 20–30 % of patients after a short asymptomatic interval. Manifestations include:
- Meningitis: neck stiffness, photophobia, elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure, lymphocytic pleocytosis, increased protein.
- Encephalitis: altered mental status, confusion, seizures, focal neurological deficits.
- Myelitis: sensory loss, weakness, bladder dysfunction.
Severe disease may lead to permanent neurological sequelae such as ataxia, cognitive impairment, or paralysis. Mortality ranges from 1 % to 3 % in untreated cases, rising sharply in older adults.
Diagnosis relies on serologic testing for TBE‑specific IgM and IgG antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid, confirmed by PCR when early infection is suspected. Imaging (MRI) may show hyperintense lesions in the basal ganglia, thalamus, or spinal cord, supporting the clinical picture.
Therapeutic management is primarily supportive. Hospitalization ensures monitoring of intracranial pressure, seizure control, and respiratory support if needed. No specific antiviral therapy is approved; experimental agents have not demonstrated consistent benefit. Rehabilitation addresses residual motor and cognitive deficits.
Prevention consists of avoiding tick habitats during peak activity, wearing protective clothing, applying repellents containing DEET or permethrin, and performing thorough body checks after exposure. In endemic regions, vaccination with inactivated TBE vaccines provides high efficacy and is the most reliable protective measure.
Prompt recognition of the biphasic pattern and immediate medical evaluation are critical to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with TBE‑causing tick bites.