Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection that impacts the central nervous system. It is prevalent in many European countries and can cause a range of illnesses, from mild, short-term conditions to more severe, life-threatening diseases.
Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine
The TBE vaccine offers effective protection against this potentially severe infection. The standard vaccination schedule includes two to three doses, depending on the type of vaccine administered. Booster doses are recommended to maintain immunity over time. For travelers, getting vaccinated against TBE is crucial to reducing the risk of infection and ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.
Symptoms of Tick-borne Encephalitis
Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can vary, but they typically occur in two phases:
First Phase:
Flu-like Symptoms:
Fever
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle aches
Nausea
These initial symptoms usually last for about a week and then subside, leading to a period of apparent recovery.
Second Phase:
If the virus spreads to the central nervous system, more severe symptoms can develop, including:
Neurological Symptoms:
High fever
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Confusion or disorientation
Sensitivity to light
Dizziness
Difficulty walking
Weakness or paralysis
In severe cases, TBE can lead to long-term neurological complications or be life-threatening. It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a tick in an area where TBE is common.
How Tick-borne Encephalitis is Contracted?
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is contracted primarily through the bite of an infected tick. The virus is transmitted to humans when an infected tick bites and feeds on a person’s blood. Here’s a breakdown of how TBE is typically contracted:
The primary mode of transmission is through the bite of infected ticks, particularly those belonging to the Ixodes species, like the Ixodes ricinus in Europe and Ixodes persulcatus in Asia.
Ticks carrying the TBE virus are commonly found in grassy and wooded areas, especially in regions where TBE is endemic. People are at higher risk of being bitten during outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or picnicking in these areas.
In rare cases, TBE can also be contracted by consuming unpasteurized dairy products, such as milk or cheese, from infected animals, particularly in some regions of Europe.
To reduce the risk of contracting TBE, it is essential to take preventive measures, such as using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors in endemic areas.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is primarily found in parts of Europe and Asia. Here are some countries considered high-risk areas for TBE:
Europe
- Austria
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Czech Republic
- Slovenia
- Poland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Russia
- Finland
- Sweden
- Norway
- Hungary
- Slovakia
Asia
- Russia (parts of Siberia and the Far East)
- China (northeastern regions)
- Japan
- Mongolia
- South Korea
These countries have regions, particularly in rural and forested areas, where the TBE virus is more prevalent due to the habitat of ticks that carry the virus. Travelers to these areas are advised to take precautions against tick bites and consider vaccination if they plan to engage in outdoor activities.
Next Day Appointments are Available
Unsure which type of service you require?
If you feel confused regarding which travel vaccine you require for your holiday, you can book an appointment at The Care Pharmacy Travel Clinic Leeds.
How to get vaccinated?
Book an appointment & pay online
Fill an online form and select a time slot to save time at your appointment.
Get Your First Dose
Get a free consultation in our clinic, discuss your course options with our healthcare experts and receive your first vaccination.
Follow-up Dose(s)
You’ll get to know about followup doses during your first appointment.
FAQs
Most individuals with TBE encephalitis will recover; however, up to a third may experience long-term complications from the illness. While there is no specific treatment for TBE after infection, an effective vaccine is available to prevent the disease.
To confirm a positive IgM result and diagnose TBE, testing for TBE virus-specific neutralizing antibodies is typically employed. Although virus isolation or detecting viral RNA through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum can also be used for diagnosis, these methods rarely yield positive results.
There is no specific medication to treat tick-borne encephalitis virus infection, but a vaccine is available for prevention. For more details on who should receive the vaccine, please refer to our tick-borne encephalitis vaccine page. For those infected, rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate some of the symptoms.
The most frequent local reactions to the vaccine are tenderness and pain at the injection site. For adults, the most common systemic reactions include fatigue, headache, and muscle aches, while for children, they typically experience headaches and fever.
The vaccination schedule includes three doses. It’s best to receive the first dose at least one month before you travel. To ensure sufficient protection for your trip, you should have at least two doses. The third dose provides protection for approximately three years.
The vaccines for tick-borne encephalitis are available under various brand names, including Encepur N, FSME-Immun CC, Ticovac, Encevir-Neo, and Klesh-E-Vak.
Dos:
- Get Vaccinated: Ensure you receive the full course of the TBE vaccine if you are traveling to high-risk areas or are at increased risk.
- Use Tick Prevention: Apply insect repellent with DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, and use tick-repellent products.
- Check for Ticks: After spending time in wooded or grassy areas, thoroughly check your body for ticks and remove any promptly with tweezers.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, or rash after tick bites, consult a healthcare provider immediately.
- Follow Up: If you’ve been vaccinated, adhere to the recommended booster schedule to maintain immunity.
Don’ts:
- Avoid Self-Treatment: Do not attempt to treat tick-borne encephalitis at home; seek professional medical help.
- Don’t Ignore Symptoms: If you experience symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis, such as fever or neurological symptoms, do not ignore them.
- Avoid High-Risk Areas Without Protection: Don’t travel to endemic areas without proper vaccination and tick prevention measures.
- Don’t Delay Vaccination: Avoid postponing your vaccination schedule, especially if you plan to visit high-risk regions.
- Don’t Use Inappropriate Methods for Tick Removal: Do not use substances like alcohol or petroleum jelly to remove ticks; use fine-tipped tweezers and pull the tick out steadily.
No matter your destination, The Care Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Leeds and Bradford is committed to ensuring your safety and protection throughout your journey.
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