Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis virus

Tick-borne encephalitis virus belongs to:

• genus - Flavivirus (group B),
• family - togaviruses,
• ecological group - arboviruses.

Rice. 2. The photo shows the tick-borne encephalitis virus. On the left is a diagram of the structure of the virion, on the right is a view of viruses under an electron microscope.

• The virus is resistant to low temperatures and drying, but quickly loses its biological properties at room temperature.
• When boiling, the virus is inactivated after 2 minutes, and at a temperature of 60°C (the temperature of hot milk), the virus dies only after 20 minutes. The virus persists for up to 10 days at a temperature of 16-18°C. The virus persists in dairy products for up to 2 months.
• Rapid inactivation of viruses occurs under the influence of disinfectants (phenol, alcohol, formaldehyde). Ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on pathogens.

Tick-borne encephalitis viruses have tropism for the tissues of the brain and spinal cord

Epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis

How are tick-borne encephalitis viruses transmitted?

• Transmission of viruses is carried out by ixodid ticks (usually Ixodes persulcatus) during blood sucking (80 - 90% of cases).
• Rodents (hares, hedgehogs, chipmunks, field mice), birds (thrushes, goldfinches, redpolls and finches), predators (wolves) are an additional reservoir of infection.
• Viruses can enter the human body by consuming raw milk from infected goats, and much less often from cows.
• Transmission of viruses can occur when an infected tick is crushed while removing it from the surface of the skin.

Bites of infected ticks and consumption of raw goat's milk (less often cow's milk) are the main factors in the transmission of neurotropic viruses in the mid-latitudes of Russia.

The most common types of ticks in the Russian Federation

Of the 40 thousand species of known ticks, only a few have become parasites. In the process of evolution, they adapted to feed on the blood of animals. The most studied to date are ixodid ticks (family Ixodoidea), numbering more than 700 species.

In our country, farm animals and humans are most susceptible to tick bites from Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus. The most aggressive ticks towards humans are Ixodes persulcatus.

Ixodes persulcatus (taiga tick) is common in a number of areas of the Asian and European parts of our country.

Ixodes ricinus (European forest tick or dog tick) is common in the European part of our country.

What is encephalitis infection

A disease that is often transmitted by a tick through a bite is tick-borne encephalitis. This pathology is observed everywhere, including the CIS countries. Although there is treatment for a tick bite suffering from encephalitis, the disease often leads to consequences and even death of the victim.

The encephalitis virus leads to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, often causing paralysis, including the respiratory muscles, which is fatal. The pathology is difficult to develop in both adults and children.

Even after successful treatment of the disease, the patient needs long-term recovery, which is not always successful. As a result, most patients from an encephalitis tick bite remain disabled.

The disease is transmitted by encephalitis ticks. Parasites introduce the causative agent of encephalitis into the victim’s body. But the formation of the disease after being bitten by a tick infected with pathology is not recorded in more than 50% of cases.

Thus, a bitten victim becomes infected only in 1/3 of cases. After the tick leaves the bite, the virus enters the bloodstream.

It is important to know that the first symptoms of encephalitis after a tick bite, both in an adult patient and a bitten child, begin to develop after 7 days. This is how long the incubation period lasts.

Regardless of the acute development of tick-borne encephalitis as a separate pathology, at each stage a person is faced with various symptoms. Thus, the febrile type of the disease develops more easily than others, and is manifested by a complete recovery.

fever

From the moment the tick bite occurs and for 5 days, the patient experiences the development of fever. The main hyperthermic signs of encephalitis after a tick bite appear as follows:

• the patient feels sick and vomits;
• muscles, headache;
• weakness in the body, lethargy, and fatigue appear.

In a bitten patient, symptoms do not appear at the neurological level. Nerve endings and the central nervous system are damaged if they do not provide assistance to the victim.

The development of the disease after a bite of an encephalitis tick in the meningeal form is often observed. Symptoms develop like this.

1. Unbearable pain in the head appears, aggravated when the person moves.
2. The victim feels sick and may vomit.
3. Eyes hurt.
4. Lethargy.
5. Lethargy.
6. Soreness.

After a bite, a person begins to feel feverish; this symptom persists for 2 weeks.

When the meningoencephalitic type of disease develops, the patient develops:

• epileptic seizures;
• loss of reason;
• breathing is disrupted, even stopping;
• paresis of the tongue muscles.

epileptic seizures

The patient's risk of bleeding in the stomach increases. The general state of health is quite bad.

The rarest and most dangerous form is polio, which manifests itself with frequent complications that can cause disability and death. Symptoms such as:

• impaired movements;
• numbness of the limbs;
• muscle weakness, lethargy;
• inability to hold your head straight or raise your arm.

It is important to know that it is the response of muscles, joints, visual and auditory systems to the virus 7 days after a tick bite that indicates infection with encephalitis. It is worth paying attention to these manifestations, otherwise it threatens the development of negative consequences.

Encephalitis tick: life in pictures

Rice. 3. Photo of an encephalitis tick. Male (left) and female (right). They have a powerful shell and four pairs of legs.

Rice. 4 The female encephalitis tick lays eggs in May and June after it has fed on blood. Of the 1.5 - 2.5 thousand eggs laid, only a few individuals survive to adulthood.

Rice. 5. From the eggs laid by the female, after a few weeks, larvae the size of a poppy seed appear with a 3rd pair of limbs. Their prey is small animals and birds. Having sucked blood after 3 - 4 days, they leave the “breadwinners”. They molt in the forest floor and turn into nymphs. Nymphs reach 1.5 cm in length and already have four pairs of limbs. After spending the winter, the nymphs choose larger “breadwinners” for themselves. After a year, each nymph turns into either a female or a male. Almost all species of forest animals, livestock, and many species of birds that feed on the ground are sites of parasitism for encephalitis ticks.

During the entire development cycle, which lasts 3–5 years, ticks feed three times. Of all the eggs laid by the female, dozens of individuals survive and pose a threat to humans.

Rice. 6. Encephalitis tick bite. Ticks have huge salivary glands that span the length of their body. At the first moment of the bite, the secreted saliva firmly glues the proboscis to the skin. The liquid part of saliva anesthetizes the wound, destroys the vascular wall and suppresses the immune response of the host.

Rice. 7. Female encephalitis tick before and after sucking blood.

Rice. 8. Encephalitis tick after a bite (in the photo the female sucked blood). The ability to stretch the back of the body allows females to suck blood hundreds of times more than a hungry individual. Females attach themselves for 5 - 6 days. Males attach only for an hour. They spend the rest of their time searching for a female to mate with.

Rice. 9. The photo shows a female encephalitis tick. Ticks do not have eyes, but their sense of smell is very acute. They are able to detect the smell of animals and humans from up to 10 meters away.

Rice. 10. The photo shows a tick in an active waiting position - the front legs are extended and move from side to side. When the “breadwinner” approaches, the tick’s reaction is immediate. Their paws, equipped with suction cups, allow them to firmly cling to the victim.

Rice. 11. Encephalitis tick on humans. More often, the tick climbs up clothing and only then is found on the neck, head and shoulders. Ticks are very mobile!

Tick-borne encephalitis is registered strictly in the spring-summer period, which is associated with their maximum activity during this period.

Rice. 12. Encephalitis ticks on animals.

Rice. 13. Encephalitis ticks on animals.

Rice. 14. Encephalitis mites on birds.

Intestinal epithelial cells and salivary glands of ticks are the main sites of reproduction of tick-borne encephalitis viruses. Here they persist for many years and are released during the laying of eggs and are transmitted to some species of animals and birds through blood sucking, where they multiply and are transmitted to new ticks. By parasitizing the bodies of animals and birds, ticks infected with viruses are transported over vast distances.

What to do if bitten by an encephalitis tick

In order to avoid the consequences of encephalitis tick bites, it is necessary, first of all, not to rely on tradition that everything will somehow work itself out, and to do everything possible to identify the disease in the early stages of its penetration into the body. What to do if you are bitten by an encephalitis tick?

It is impossible to determine whether a tick is encephalitic or not by its appearance; only a laboratory analysis can show this. Immediately after you remove the tick yourself or have it removed at the nearest emergency room, the parasite must be placed in a container for analysis and taken to the laboratory, where specialists will check whether it was a carrier of any diseases. In Moscow, you can submit a tick for analysis:

• At the Moscow Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Grafsky Lane, 4/9.

The tick must be tested on the day it is removed or the next day.
If the analysis determines that the tick is a carrier of encephalitis, the laboratory specialists will immediately notify you about this. If a tick bites you in an area where encephalitis is endemic, you can, without waiting for the test result, get an emergency immunoglobulin vaccination:

• For adults in Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital No. 2 on Sokolinaya Gora Street, 15.
• For children in Children's Clinical Hospital No. 13 named after N. F. Filatov on Sadovo-Kudrinskaya Street, 15.

Vaccination in these institutions can be done around the clock.
The injection must be given immediately after the bite, but no later than 96 hours later. Only a doctor should further monitor the condition of the body and determine treatment, since the disease progresses individually in each case.

How does tick-borne encephalitis develop?

If the number of viruses transmitted to humans through tick bites is large, then they can cause disease in the human body. In some cases, even timely removal of the tick cannot prevent the disease, since viruses in large quantities are stored in polyradiculoneuritis in the “cementing secretion”. With a short-term bite from males, tick-borne encephalitis viruses can also enter the human body.

Penetration and primary accumulation of the pathogen (primary viremia)

During a tick bite, some viruses begin to multiply in the subcutaneous tissue and tissue macrophages, while another part enters the blood and penetrates the vascular endothelium, lymph nodes, parenchymal organs, and into the tissue of the central nervous system, where they intensively multiply and accumulate. The incubation period and the period of primary viremia occur simultaneously. Moreover, already during this period, plethora of internal organs and, often, hemorrhages into the serous membranes are noted. There is a violation of the trophism of the heart muscle. The liver and spleen are enlarged. Sometimes hemorrhages are recorded in the adrenal medulla.

Re-entry of viruses into the blood (secondary viremia)

The duration of repeated viremia is from 5 to 7 days. Viruses are found in blood, urine, nasal mucus, and cerebrospinal fluid. At this moment, the body begins to fight viruses:

• capture of viruses by macrophages,
• lysis (destruction, dissolution) of viral cells,
• binding of viral particles into immune complexes with their subsequent destruction.

A large number of viruses die, which leads to the development of intoxication and fever.

Rice. 15. The photo shows tick-borne encephalitis viruses.

Outcomes of infection with tick-borne encephalitis viruses

• 95% of cases of primary infection are asymptomatic and end with the complete elimination of the infectious agent with the subsequent formation of immunity.
• A small proportion of infected people develop tick-borne viral encephalitis.
• Some infected people develop virus carriage, which manifests itself in the form of latent infection, persistent infection, chronic and slow infection.

Due to the mild and short-lived viremia (7-10 days), a sick person does not pose a danger to others.

Tick-borne encephalitis

Encephalitis

Tick ​​bite

Vomit

6519 01 February

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. Tick-borne encephalitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods.

Description

Tick-borne encephalitis is a dangerous viral infection that occurs in persistent natural foci and is manifested by high fever, intoxication and damage to the nervous system.

Causes of tick-borne encephalitis

The cause of the disease is an RNA-containing tick-borne encephalitis virus, which belongs to the genus of flavoviruses. Based on the composition of the genetic material and location of distribution, the Far Eastern, Ural-Siberian and Western subtypes are distinguished.

The virus is carried by ixodid ticks, which are also its main reservoir.

Thus, the virus is found where ixodid ticks live, the maximum increase in incidence is observed in May-June, and a second, less pronounced increase is recorded in late summer and early autumn, which is associated with the activity of ticks.

The virus cannot be transmitted from a person infected with tick-borne encephalitis to a healthy person.

The tick-borne encephalitis virus enters the human body in the first minutes of a tick bite or, which happens much less frequently, with the milk of an infected goat, or even less often, a cow. The virus initially multiplies and accumulates in the cells of the immune system, then enters the bloodstream and enters the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and other organs. There it multiplies and attacks the nerve cells of the cervical spinal cord, cerebellum, meninges, remaining there for a long time and penetrating deeper into the brain tissue.

Classification of the disease

The disease can occur in acute

or
chronic
form.

Non-focal acute forms are distinguished

, in the clinical picture of which it is impossible to identify a specific damaged structure of the nervous system, and
focal acute forms
with symptoms indicating the localization of damage to the nervous system.

The severity of the condition with tick-borne encephalitis can be mild , moderate and severe

.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis

The incubation period (from the moment of infection to the first clinical manifestations) averages 7–12 days, but can vary from 1 to 30 days. Rarely during this period, precursors of the disease occur - general malaise, weakness in the muscles of the limbs and neck, numbness of the facial skin, headache, insomnia, nausea.

The disease begins acutely: with an increase in body temperature to 38–40°C, symptoms of intoxication (severe weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbances), as well as symptoms of irritation of the membranes of the brain (nausea, vomiting, severe headache, inability to press the chin to the chest ).

There is lethargy, confusion, redness of the face, neck, and upper half of the body. The patient may feel pain in the muscles of the whole body, most severely where movement disturbances will subsequently be observed; There may be numbness in areas of the skin or a sensation of crawling, burning, etc.

As the disease develops, the main symptoms appear, which determine its form. Most often, tick-borne encephalitis occurs according to the following clinical variants:

• in the form of fever
  , lasting 3-5 days with symptoms of general intoxication, but without signs of damage to the nervous system. The outcome is a rapid recovery;
• in the form of damage to the membranes of the brain
  (most common in adults), which is manifested by unbearable headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief, photophobia; lethargy and lethargy appear. Body temperature is elevated, fever lasts 7–14 days. The prognosis is favorable;
• in the form of damage to the membranes and substance of the brain
  , when the symptoms of irritation of the meninges are accompanied by disturbances in movements in the limbs, including paralysis, visual impairment, hearing, speech, difficulty swallowing, etc. Sometimes convulsive seizures occur. The patient is poorly oriented in place and time, delusions and hallucinations are often observed. Recovery takes a long time, and movement disorders often remain for life. This is a severe form of tick-borne encephalitis, so death cannot be ruled out;
• in the form of damage to the spinal cord
  with the development of movement disorders (paresis and paralysis) in the muscles of the neck and limbs;
• in the form of damage to nerve roots
  and fibers with the development of disturbances in sensitivity and movement in the limbs.

Tick-borne encephalitis with a two-wave course of fever
is distinguished separately . The first rise in temperature is relatively mild, accompanied by symptoms of intoxication and irritation of the meninges, and the second (after a two-week break) with the development of a full clinical picture with signs of damage to the nervous system. Despite this, the prognosis is favorable, although transition to the chronic stage is possible.

Tick-borne encephalitis in children most often occurs in the form of fever or with signs of damage to the membranes of the brain.

Immunity to the virus after tick-borne encephalitis is lifelong.

Diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis

To diagnose tick-borne encephalitis, it is necessary to confirm the fact of tick bite and the place where it occurred (find out whether the area is endemic for tick-borne encephalitis), clarify whether the patient has been vaccinated and whether immunoglobulin has been administered to him.

The doctor carefully examines the patient and conducts a complete neurological examination. It is important to exclude the possibility of other diseases, both infectious and non-infectious, accompanied by similar symptoms.

Laboratory diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis includes determining the presence and increase in dynamics of the titer of IgM class antibodies and IgG class antibodies in the blood to the tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Symptoms of tick-borne viral encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis viruses quickly penetrate the brain from the blood. As they accumulate, the vessels and membranes of the brain become inflamed. Viruses spread through the bloodstream (hematogenous), lymphogenous and neural routes.

The acute form of tick-borne encephalitis manifests itself in the form of febrile, meningeal, meningoencephalitic, poliomyelitis and polyradiculoneuritic forms.

Infectious intoxication syndrome

Weakness, malaise, weakness, headache, pain and aches in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle and lumbar region are the main symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis during the prodrome. The incubation period of the disease lasts 1 - 2 weeks.

Increasing headache and fever, nausea and vomiting, insomnia or drowsiness, lethargy and adynamia of the patient are early diagnostic signs of tick-borne encephalitis.

Rice. 16. After a tick bite, hyperemia often appears.

Febrile form of tick-borne encephalitis

The febrile form of tick-borne encephalitis accounts for about 30% of all cases of the disease. The disease progresses favorably, patients recover quickly. Fever is the main symptom of the disease. It lasts 3 - 5 days. It begins with a sudden rise in body temperature to 38-39°C. Weakness, headache and nausea are the main symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis during this period. The patients are lethargic and adynamic. The phenomena of meningism (irritation of the meninges) are rarely recorded.

Meningeal form of tick-borne encephalitis

The meningeal form of tick-borne encephalitis accounts for half of all cases of the disease. Signs of intoxication are significantly pronounced. Menigeal syndrome is pronounced. The outcome of the disease is favorable.

Meningoencephalitic form of tick-borne encephalitis

The meningoencephalitic form of tick-borne encephalitis is recorded much less frequently. The disease is severe. Delirium, hallucinations, psychomotor agitation with loss of orientation in place and time, and epileptic seizures are the main symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis in the meningoencephalitic form of the disease.

Rice. 17. The photo shows tick-borne encephalitis (brain damage).

Poliomyelitis form of tick-borne encephalitis

The polio form of tick-borne encephalitis is registered in 1/3 of cases. The disease is characterized by the development of paresis (decreased strength) of the cervicobrachial and cervicothoracic muscle groups, which is associated with irritation of the nerve cells of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. The pain syndrome is pronounced. Weakness, severe pain, numbness, muscle twitching, paresis are the main symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis in the polio form of the disease.

Motor disturbances last from 7 to 12 days, followed by atrophy of the affected muscles by the end of the 2nd - beginning of the 3rd week.

Rice. 18. A head hanging down on the chest and a hunched, stooped posture are the main symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis (poliomyelitis form). The muscles of the shoulder girdle are atrophied.

Rice. 19. “Proud posture” is a symptom of tick-borne encephalitis. The muscles of the shoulder girdle are atrophied.

Polyradiculoneuritic form of tick-borne encephalitis

The disease affects peripheral nerves and roots. Pain and paresthesia at first and then flaccid paralysis of the lower and upper extremities are the main symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis when they develop in the polyradiculoneuritic form of the disease.

Rice. 20. The photo shows the consequences of tick-borne encephalitis.

Tick-borne encephalitis: manifestations, symptoms, signs

The incubation period of the disease is on average 2 weeks, after which the first signs of tick-borne encephalitis appear - the patient begins to notice symptoms of mild malaise: weakness, increased fatigue and muscle pain. The first signs of tick-borne encephalitis are very similar to the onset of a common cold. But these manifestations are replaced after a few days by a sharp rise in temperature, chills, headache and vomiting, which does not bring any relief. Along with the signs of general intoxication of the body, signs of tick-borne encephalitis associated with damage to the central nervous system also develop. The patient is unable to lift his head from the pillow, his consciousness is clouded, and all actions are inhibited. Hallucinations, delusions, incoherent speech and chaotic movements are often observed.

On days 3-4, against the background of general infectious and brain symptoms, the first signs of encephalitis appear, associated with damage to individual areas of the brain (focal symptoms). The most characteristic signs of tick-borne encephalitis are paralysis of the muscles of the neck, shoulders and certain areas of the face. The patient is unable to hold his head up, his shoulders droop, his arms hang limply along his body, and his eyes roll upward.

The “Western” version of the course of tick-borne encephalitis is characterized by a fairly favorable course; in the East, the disease often occurs with severe damage to the brain stem, manifested by a violation of the vital functions of the body - breathing and blood circulation, and often leads to the death of the patient.

Tick-borne encephalitis is sometimes accompanied by the formation of adhesions in the brain, where the virus can persist for a long time and cause periodic exacerbations of the disease. Chronic tick-borne encephalitis develops 3-6 months after an acute illness, characterized by persistent paresis and paralysis and the development of Kozhevnikov epilepsy - a pathology manifested by constant convulsions, muscle tremors in one half of the body or arm, which periodically turn into a generalized epileptic seizure.

After suffering tick-borne encephalitis, a person develops a stable and long-lasting immunity; in the event of a tick bite, the disease does not develop again.

More details on Medkrug.RU: https://www.medkrug.ru/manual/show/kleschevoy_encefalit__proyavleniya__simptomy__priznaki

Complications of tick-borne encephalitis

Complications in persons who have had tick-borne encephalitis develop in 40% of cases.

• Hyperkinetic syndrome is registered in 25% of patients. These are mainly children under 16 years of age. Patients experience spontaneous contractions in individual muscle groups.
• Epileptiform syndrome. Some patients experience epileptic attacks, which are characterized by loss of consciousness and tonic convulsions.
• Transition of the acute form of tick-borne encephalitis into the chronic form. The chronic form of the disease occurs secretly and manifests itself under the influence of mental and physical trauma, abortion, physical treatment, etc.

Rice. 21. Consequences of tick-borne encephalitis.

Prevention of encephalitis and tick bites

Tick-borne encephalitis is a serious viral infection with terrible consequences. So, with mild development, accompanied by the development of fever, there are, as a rule, no complications. Dangerous consequences do not develop with the meningeal type.

All other forms of infection by the virus lead to:

• to speech impairment;
• paresis of the limbs;
• partial paralysis;
• muscle atrophy;
• breathing problems.

Severe forms lead to disability of patients. Such consequences after an encephalitis tick bite cannot be cured. The severity of the consequences will depend on the patient's immunity.

Get a vaccine as a preventative measure. Also, when visiting unsafe places, wear the right clothes; when walking, do not go close to bushes, tall grass, or cross the forest along a path.

Diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis

1. A correctly collected epidemiological history will help establish the diagnosis. The patient’s stay in the forest, information about tick bites and consumption of raw goat’s milk are the main points that need to be paid attention to.
2. Increasing headache and fever, nausea and vomiting, insomnia or drowsiness, lethargy and adynamia of the patient are early diagnostic signs of the disease.
3. Detection of antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
4. Increase in antibody titer using RSK, RTGA, RPGA, RDNA and neutralization reaction. A 4-fold increase in antibody titer is an important diagnostic sign of tick-borne encephalitis. IgG antibodies are specific for tick-borne encephalitis.
5. Isolation of tick-borne encephalitis virus by bacteriological method (method of inoculation on a nutrient medium).

Tick-borne encephalitis viruses and antibodies to their antigens are detected already in the first week of the disease.

Rice. 22. The photo shows tick-borne encephalitis viruses.

Treatment of tick-borne encephalitis

Effective treatment of tick-borne encephalitis is ensured by clear clinical diagnosis and adequate pharmacotherapy aimed at the pathogen itself and all parts of the pathological process.

Treatment of tick-borne encephalitis is always prescribed and does not depend on previously carried out preventive measures (vaccinations, use of specific gamma globulin).

1. Strict bed rest is prescribed to all patients, regardless of the severity of the disease, until body temperature normalizes and symptoms of intoxication disappear.
2. The patient must be provided with complete restriction of movement. Minimize painful irritation. If necessary, carry out gentle transportation.
3. Vitamin therapy.

Antiviral therapy is the basis for the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis

1. The administration of homologous gamma globulin titrated against tick-borne encephalitis virus is the basis of antiviral therapy. Early administration of gamma globulin has a positive effect on the outcome of the disease. Antibodies neutralize viruses inside and outside the cell.
2. The enzyme drug ribonuclease stops the reproduction of viruses in the cells of the nervous system.
3. The use of interferon drugs is a modern method of treating viral diseases of the central nervous system. Interferons in the human body are secreted by a number of cells in response to invading viruses. They are produced by blood cells and are able to suppress the proliferation of viruses in infected cells. Interferon preparations are obtained from donor blood and are created using genetic engineering. In the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis, Reaferon, Leukinferon and other drugs are used.
4. Interferon inducer drugs cause the synthesis of their own α- and β-interferons in leukocytes, macrophages, epithelial cells, tissues of the spleen, liver, lungs and brain, thereby correcting the immune status of the body. In the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis, interferon inducers such as Larifan and Amiksin are used.

Pathogenetic therapy is an integral part of the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis

1. Measures aimed at combating intoxication.
2. The administration of glucocorticoids is mandatory.
3. With increasing respiratory failure and swallowing disorders, patients are transferred to artificial ventilation.
4. Hypoxia is combated by administering humidified oxygen through nasal catheters.
5. The introduction of neuroplegics in the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis is carried out with the aim of slowing down the body's vital functions.
6. Introduction of antihypoxic agents to improve oxygen utilization and increase resistance to hypoxia.
7. For central paralysis, antispastic drugs are prescribed.
8. In order to improve trophism (nutrition) of the brain, drugs that improve microcirculation are prescribed.
9. When epilepsy develops, antiepileptic drugs are prescribed.
10. For attention disorders, motor hyperactivity and impulsive behavior (hyperkinetic syndrome), nootropic drugs, muscle relaxants and hypnotics are prescribed. In severe cases, anesthesia is used.
11. Patients with the polymyelitic form of tick-borne viral encephalitis are prescribed a live enterovirus vaccine (live polyvalent anti-poliomyelitis).

Ticks and the consequences of their bite: symptoms

If you encounter ixodid ticks, the consequences of their bite may not appear for a long time, and the symptoms may be almost invisible at first. The fact is that many viruses have an incubation period from several hours to several weeks, that is, the disease enters the body immediately, but does not manifest itself for some time. Even laboratory tests 2-3 days after the bite will most likely show that everything is normal. That is why experts strongly recommend removing the parasite from the wound alive and delivering it to the laboratory for analysis in a flask. This allows you to immediately determine whether the tick that bit you is infected with something and begin appropriate treatment even before any body reactions occur.

The bite itself and any tick-borne viruses have special symptoms by which they can be approximately identified. It is physically impossible to list here absolutely all the symptoms of all diseases transmitted through a tick bite, so we will focus on the most common ones:

Directly bite

• The appearance of spot itching and burning
• Severe redness or discoloration of the skin in the area of ​​the wound
• Chills
• Painful eye sensitivity to light
• Weakness, joint pain
• Temperature rises to 38-40 degrees
• Shortness of breath, tachycardia, headache

Encephalitis

• General and muscle weakness, body aches
• Numbness of the neck, face and limbs
• Increased body temperature to 38-40 degrees, chills, sweating
• Redness of the skin and mucous membranes
• Nausea, vomiting

Borreliosis (Lyme disease)

• Rapid swelling, redness and visible enlargement of the bite site
• After some time, the red spot turns into a ring with a center of a similar or bluish color, and may move (erythema migrans)
• Hives
• Fatigue, stiff neck muscles

Tularemia

• Temperature rises to 40 degrees
• Severe headache
• Pain in the legs, back and lower back
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating, sleep disturbance

With timely intervention, the consequences after a tick bite in a person do not reach critical levels. This greatly facilitates the treatment process and reduces the time required for full recovery. As with any other viral disease, the body spends a lot of energy fighting microbes that shouldn’t be there. The sooner you contact an infectious disease specialist, the easier it will be for your body to cope with the pathogenic bacteria that are poisoning your life.