Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis

Proven content

Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral disease caused by viruses that are mainly transmitted by ticks. The TBE virus is responsible for the disease. It attacks the meninges and the central nervous system. Infection can also occur through the consumption of raw cow’s or goat’s milk if the animal has been infected with the virus. Vaccination is the best way to avoid the disease.

What is tick-borne encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis is a disease caused by TBE viruses. The disease is usually transmitted by ticks. The disease affects the meninges and the central nervous system. Infection occurs as a result of a tick bite. The risk of getting sick is quite high, however, it should be remembered that not every infection ends with a disease. Tick-borne encephalitis usually affects approx. 30 percent. cases. In most patients, the disease is asymptomatic.

What are the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis usually develops in two phases:

1. phase I – at this stage of the disease, the symptoms are fever, headaches and muscle aches, so symptoms may be flu. In some cases, the disease does not progress any further;
2. phase II – in some people who are infected with the virus, the disease attacks the central nervous system, which can result in a mild form of meningitis. Symptoms include high body temperature, severe headaches and often a stiff neck. This phase of the disease can also be severe, such as encephalomyelitis. This means that the virus has attacked not only the meninges, but also the entire brain and nerve roots. As a result, the above-mentioned symptoms are accompanied by disturbances in consciousness, speech and even swallowing. There are also cases of mental disorders or paralysis.

Worth knowing: What is the risk of a tick bite?

What are the complications of tick-borne encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis is usually mild, but the disease is associated with a high risk of complications, which affect up to 50% of people. sick. The patient’s age affects the risk of complications. Complications appear in the form of a disease with encephalitis. They include defective neurological symptoms, paralysis, paresis of cranial and peripheral nerves. The shoulder belt atrophies are the most common.

Complications often also concern the patient’s psyche. There are disturbances in thinking, mood, memory and problems with concentration. Persistent symptoms include headaches, increased fatigue and trouble sleeping. These symptoms disappear very slowly and rehabilitation is often needed. In some cases, patients do not regain full physical fitness.

Mental disorders may persist up to 5 years after the illness. Tick-borne encephalitis significantly affects the deterioration of the functioning of a sick person both in professional and social life.

The so-called PES (post encephalitic syndrome) is a unique form of complications that are associated with changes in behavior. Symptoms can often be reversed. In this case, these are weakness, irritability, apathy, difficulties in learning or at work, problems with sleep, changes in eating habits, and even in the sexuality of the person.

Check: Tick vaccine – price, action, indications, effectiveness

What is the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis?

You can catch the tick-borne encephalitis virus through tick saliva. Tick ​​bites are very dangerous as saliva can enter the bloodstream. Even a quick tick removal will not prevent you from getting sick. However, it should be remembered that the longer the tick is in the skin, the greater the risk of contracting the disease.

Unfortunately, there is no targeted treatment for TBE because it is a viral disease. Which is why treatment is to relieve symptoms. The treatment includes antipyretic drugs and painkillers.

Prevention is most important, because if the disease develops, the body has to fight the virus on its own. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid a tick bite. Vaccination is another way to protect yourself from the disease.

What should you know about the TBE vaccine?

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is an inactivated vaccine. Full protection is achieved with three primary doses, followed by booster doses every 3-5 years. In order to be protected when ticks are active, it is enough to vaccinate yourself in winter or early spring. We are exposed to tick bites between April and October. Vaccinations are not compulsory, but they are recommended for specific professional groups as well as for people living in endemic areas. The vaccine is very effective (about 95%).

What are the contraindications for TBE vaccination?

Unfortunately, the vaccine is not suitable for everyone. An anaphylactic reaction after administration is a contraindication to vaccination the first dose of the vaccine for TBE. In addition, it should not be given to people who have an acute febrile illness or who have had a severe allergic reaction to any of the excipients in the vaccine.

After administration of the vaccine, it may appear local post-vaccination reaction, soreness at the injection site, swelling, redness, slight fever, weakness and flu-like symptoms.

Check it out: What diseases do ticks cause?

Who can get vaccinated against TBE?

The TBE vaccine can be taken by children from 1 year of age and adults.

Who decides on vaccination?

A doctor always qualifies for vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. You should come to the vaccination when you are completely healthy. If we have any doubts, be sure to inform your doctor about them. He will decide whether the vaccination will be safe.

Before vaccinating against TBE you should also tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, as these may reduce the effect of the vaccine or cause side effects after vaccination. In addition, it is worth mentioning about contacts with sick people, because in the event of an infection, the symptoms may not be visible yet. If this is the second dose of the vaccine, it is essential to inform the doctor about the symptoms that we noticed after the first vaccination.

If the doctor agrees to the vaccination, the patient will be given a prescription. The first dose of TBE vaccine is administered at any time. It is best to vaccinate in winterbecause then we gain protection while the ticks are active. If we are planning a trip to endemic areas, we vaccinate before departure.

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What is the vaccination schedule for TBE?

The vaccination scheme for TBE is as follows:

1. 1 dose – it is taken at any time chosen by the patient. Doctors recommend a date in the winter;
2. 2 dose – is given between 1 and 3 months after the first dose;
3. 3 dose – it is administered between 5 and 12 months after the 2nd dose or between 9 and 12 months depending on the vaccine chosen.

After vaccination is completed, a booster dose may be given approx. 3 years after the last vaccination. Subsequent booster doses are given at intervals of 3-5 years, depending on the vaccine chosen.

In the case of TBE vaccines, they can also be adopted according to the accelerated schedule. It is designed for people who need quick protection against TBE and apply for vaccination in spring and summer. Accelerated vaccination scheme for tick-borne encephalitis looks like this:

1. 1 dose – it is provided at any time;
2. 2 dose – it is given 7 or 14 days after the first dose (depending on the type of vaccine);
3. 3 dose – given 5-12 months or 21 days after the second dose (depending on the type of vaccine).

In this case, a booster dose can be given as early as 12–18 months, and subsequent booster doses after 3–5 years, depending on the vaccine.

Check: Ticks – what diseases do they transmit? Tick ​​removal

Where to buy the TBE vaccine and how much does it cost?

If vaccination is taking place in a clinic or hospital, vaccines should be available on the spot. This means that we do not have to think about the safe transport of the vaccine. However, it is worth asking in advance about the price of the vaccine offered by a given clinic, because the market price of the vaccine can vary significantly.

If we have to buy the vaccine ourselves, remember to provide appropriate conditions during transport of the vaccine to the site. The vaccine should be transported to the site in isothermal packaging and stored at 2–8 ° C. A good solution is purchase or order of a vaccine at a pharmacy located in the vicinity of a clinic or hospital. The vaccine should be stored in the refrigerator. Its price is about PLN 100.

What does the vaccination against TBE look like?

The TBE vaccine is administered intramuscularly, usually into the buttock or shoulder. In some cases, the vaccine may be given under the skin. Vaccines are safe and any vaccine reactions are usually mild. It is important to remember about the time of the next doses.

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