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Can tick-borne encephalitis be prevented?

Effective vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis can be given to people living in, or travelling to, areas where the virus is commonly found. Other prevention methods include consuming only pasteurized dairy products, covering exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts and pants to avoid tick bites, checking your clothing and body for ticks, and using insect repellent.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is tick-borne encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused by a virus that is carried by ticks, which are small blood-sucking parasites.

What are the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis?

Signs and symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis occur at different stages of the condition and can vary from mild to severe. They can include flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, headache, confusion and agitation, muscle weakness, and …

What causes tick-borne encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis is caused by a bite of a tick infected with tick-borne encephalitis virus. The virus can also be transmitted by drinking unpasteurized milk products from infected cows, sheep and goats.

Who gets tick-borne encephalitis?

Risk factors for tick-borne encephalitis can include: age - older people are more at risk; travelling to, or living in an area where the virus can be found, and; having a weakened immune system.

How is tick-borne encephalitis diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you may have tick-borne encephalitis they will carry out specific blood tests to detect the presence of the virus. To assist with diagnosis, a lumbar puncture may also be performed to get a sample of fluid from around the …

How is tick-borne encephalitis treated?

There is no specific treatment for tick-borne encephalitis. If you are suffering from the condition, treatment will focus on managing your symptoms and supporting your body's immune system as it handles the infection. Some supportive treatments to …

Is tick-borne encephalitis contagious?

Person-to-person transmission of tick-borne encephalitis has not been reported.

How is tick-borne encephalitis spread?

Tick-borne encephalitis is spread by ticks that carry one of the tick-borne encephalitis viruses.

Are there different types of tick-borne encephalitis virus?

There are three types of virus that cause tick-borne encephalitis: European or Western tick-borne encephalitis virus, Far Eastern tick-borne encephalitis virus, and Siberian tick-borne encephalitis virus.

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About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 03 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Votes: 1362 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Dengue fever

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