You should watch out for the first ticks now, because the season of their activation starts from February and is just gaining momentum now. “Eurovaistinė” pharmacist Toma Gečienė not only advises getting vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, but also singles out 5 important, but rarely heard facts about diseases caused by ticks.
1. One-third of those who fell ill have consequences
“Tick-borne encephalitis is an incurable disease that can damage the brain and peripheral nerves. Looking at the statistics of the incidence of this disease in Europe, even a third of people who contracted tick-borne encephalitis did not fully recover and live with such residual effects as constant headaches, inability to concentrate, sleep disorders, behavioral changes. Sometimes paralysis is inevitable. However, this can be prevented by vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis”, says pharmacist T. Gečienė.
2. Mark the date of the bite in the calendar
It only takes 10 minutes for a tick to transmit tick-borne encephalitis to us through saliva, says the pharmacist.
“The symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis do not appear immediately, but within a couple of weeks. Therefore, after pulling out the tick, be sure to mark the date of its ingestion in the calendar. Over the next 2 weeks, watch for cold symptoms, fever, headaches, and general weakness. If you notice at least one of them, it is important to get tested for tick-borne encephalitis,” advises pharmacist T. Gečienė.
3. Do not ignore joint pain
The pharmacist says that it is already well known to everyone that Lyme disease can be recognized by the reddened circle on the skin in the place where the tick was sucked in.
“However, even the simplest pain in a joint and its heating, when you feel warmth when you touch it with your hand, can betray Lyme disease. This joint is often located near the bite site. Then it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible, because if Lyme disease is detected in time, it can be treated with antibiotics, unlike tick-borne encephalitis”, says pharmacist T. Gečienė.
4. No oils and clockwise rotations
“I still hear stories of people pulling the tick and trying to rotate it in different clockwise directions. Indeed, when grasped with tweezers, it should be pulled sharply and straight towards you. Another thing you shouldn’t do is apply oil to an infected tick. It will start to suffocate from the fat and thus release twice as many infectious agents into your body,” says pharmacist T. Gečienė.
5. Immunity within 1.5 months
The pharmacist says that people who have been vaccinated today can already have partially acquired immunity to tick-borne encephalitis in a month and a half.
“Following a complete primary vaccination plan, which consists of three doses of the vaccine, we acquire immunity that provides reliable protection. The second vaccination can be given just 14 days or 1 month after the first. Then 70 percent is formed. protection And the third dose should arrive 5-12 months after the second vaccination. After completing the main vaccination schedule, a maintenance dose is required after 3 years. It is very important for vaccinations to arrive on time, so it is recommended to mark vaccination dates in the vaccination passport or calendar”, says pharmacist T. Gečienė.
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– 2024-03-31 15:47:32
