Mid-spring is the beginning of the peak season for the activation of ticks, from whose attacks no one is immune, so it is important to know the signs of a tick bite on a person in order to carry out emergency prevention or preventive treatment. Everything you need to know about the signs of a bite, consequences, methods of treatment and prevention is in our article.

• taiga Ixodes Persulcatus;
• European forest Ixodes Ricinus.

The absence of eyes is compensated by a highly developed sense of smell and touch; the increased sensitivity of these organs allows the animal to react with lightning speed to the proximity of the prey. During feeding, the rear part of the female's body stretches, allowing it to absorb a volume of blood many times greater than the body weight of the hungry individual. Males are less bloodthirsty: males attach for a short time, replenishing the deficiency of nutrients.

VIDEO: How ixodid fauna representatives attack

Pincer attacks: features

If a tick bites, the characteristic symptoms in a person appear only after a certain time. How serious the consequences of an attack by a blood-sucking relative of insects can be is determined by a number of key points:

The reaction to a tick bite depends on the combination of the conditions described above. The consequences of attacks by arthropods are diseases of natural focality, including infection:

• encephalitis;
• borreliosis - neurological syndrome of Lyme disease;
• typhus, relapsing fever;
• hemorrhagic fever;
• Q-fever;
• tularemia;
• monocytic erchiliosis.

An attack by a female or a male is equally dangerous. The attack by a male is short-lived and painless, so the wound is difficult to notice immediately. Cases of encephalitis infection, when victims deny the possibility of contact - clear example male attacks.

Ticks suck blood from people, plunging their heads into the skin, first cutting the layers of the dermis, simultaneously injecting an anesthetic, and fixing themselves inside by means of a hypostomome - a special outgrowth resembling an anchor.

• belly;
• neck/back of the head/ears;
• lower back/back;
• chest;
• armpits;
• groin

The result of a tick attack is microtrauma of the skin. Tick ​​bite, symptoms manifest as development inflammatory process, caused by the action of components of the animal’s saliva. The most “harmless” consequences are local allergic reactions, accompanied by redness of the suction area. When the effect of the anesthetic wears off, the skin begins to itch.

After an attack by a borreliosis carrier, the bite site acquires a pronounced reddish tint, caused by intense expansion of the capillaries. After a while, an additional bright red border appears around the round or oval spot, and the area inside turns blue or white.

A tumor after a tick bite or the formation of a lump-shaped seal is explained by two reasons:

• allergy to the composition secreted by the salivary glands. Signs of a tick bite in an allergic person are determined by the degree of aggressiveness of the allergens secreted by the animal’s saliva plus the individual immune response;
• improper removal of the arthropod - part of the proboscis remains inside. The immune system recognizes a foreign protein compound, including a defense mechanism, the body reacts with swelling of the affected area, and an abscess may occur.

Even when you are sure that the attacked tick is 100% a carrier of pathogens, the first signs appear only after a certain period of time.

Symptoms of arthropod damage

Externally, the first signs of a tick bite appear:

• headache;
• chills, fever;
• development of tachycardia, decreased blood pressure;
• gagging;
• deterioration of general health, apathy;
• swelling of the affected area;
• muscle weakness, numbness of the limbs;
• difficulty breathing;
• decreased/loss of appetite;
• photophobia - painful perception of bright light by the eyes.

Rare cases of allergic reactions are accompanied by angioedema and temporary paralysis.

The latent period of borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, encephalitis, and anaplasmosis is a month. The swelling after a tick bite can last a long time. The absence of fever is a favorable sign. The onset of the inflammatory process and the formation of an abscess becomes a reason to see a doctor. Independent manipulations - cauterization, heating, use of ointments are fraught with complications; consultation with a specialist is necessary.

VIDEO: Tick bite, what to do and how to prevent

Encephalitis: alarming symptoms

There are no characteristic signs of a tick bite on a person confirming 100% infection with the disease. Only laboratory staff can confirm or deny the fact that the bloodsucker is infected. An attack by infected arthropods implies a gradual proliferation of pathogens, given the absence of pronounced manifestations of the disease. The first signs of an encephalitis tick bite in a person will appear after 8-10 days. The presence of immunodeficiencies and chronic diseases can accelerate the development of symptoms of the disease, so health worsens after 3-4 days.

The onset of any form of pathology manifests itself similarly to the flu:

• febrile condition accompanied by high temperature up to 39.9°;
• body aches - muscle/joint pain;
• decreased vitality of the body;
• headache.

Active reproduction of pathogenic bacteria provokes fever, the duration of the period is 6-10 days. Various scenarios are possible. A mild course of the disease implies recovery, rapid restoration of the body, and the production of antibodies that prevent re-infection. A rare occurrence is the change from a febrile form to a chronic course of the disease.

After the fever stage, a short remission may also occur, then the viral attack resumes, accompanied by similar symptoms of fever. Overcoming the blood-brain barrier by the virus causes damage to cells of the nervous system. This stage of encephalitis is characterized by the appearance of symptoms of meningitis. Viral attacks alternately disrupt the functioning of internal organs.

Certain signs are characteristic of different lesions:

1. The meningoencephalitic form is characterized by the appearance of hallucinations, pronounced mental changes, paralysis, paresis, and epileptic seizures.
2. The polio form is distinguished by a number of signs characteristic of polio, which causes loss of the ability of the muscles of the neck and arms to move (paralysis).
3. The polyradiculoneurotic form is accompanied by damage to the peripheral nerves, loss of sensitivity of the leg muscles, and the development of severe pain affecting the groin area.

An unfavorable outcome implies a significant reduction in the patient's quality of life. The result may be dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. Progressive symptoms cause epilepsy of varying severity, hyperkinesis, severe mental disorders, severe asthenia - the person becomes disabled.

First aid

It is forbidden to pull the bloodsucker, use gasoline, kerosene, oil, vinegar, pouring chemicals into the affected area. Such manipulations are fraught with the death of the animal, relaxation of the oral apparatus, the entry of the full volume of dangerous microbes into the blood, and an increased risk of developing diseases.

The wound will need to be treated with an antiseptic composition, minimizing the intensity of the manifestation of characteristic signs of damage. Swelling has appeared, breathing has become difficult - it is advisable to give an intramuscular injection of Prednisolone.

The ideal option is to examine a living individual through microscopy, finding out whether the victim was attacked by a sterile or infected individual. The damaged body is also covered with ice and delivered to laboratory specialists. The research is carried out by employees of Rospotrebnadzor, the lists of addresses contain relevant websites.

Prevention and treatment of infections caused by blood-sucking arachnids

Symptoms and treatment of encephalitis exclude antibiotic therapy, meaning:

• mandatory hospitalization in a hospital;
• compliance with bed rest, including the period of fever plus the entire subsequent week, after the disappearance of acute influenza symptoms;
• prescription of prednisolone, ribonuclease, rheopolyglucin, polyglucin, hemodez;
• the manifestation of signs of meningitis is eliminated by increased dosages of drugs containing vitamin B, ascorbic acid;
• breathing difficulties are alleviated by the use of mechanical ventilation methods - intensive ventilation of the lungs;
• restorative treatment measures include courses of anabolic steroids, nootropic drugs, and transquilizers.

Treatment of Lyme borreliosis requires the mandatory use of antibiotics to help stop Negative consequences infection, quickly reducing the activity of spirochetes - the main causative agents of the disease. When an infection provokes dysfunction of the nervous system, the patient requires mandatory hospitalization.

VIDEO: How to properly remove a tick from a person

Basic principles of drug therapy

1. To prevent the initial signs - the formation of a characteristic reddish spot, tetracycline drugs are intended - antimicrobial agents that allow you to effectively treat infections of various origins. The use of bacteriostatic agents helps to minimize late-stage complications.
2. The development of neurological syndrome of tick-borne borreliosis is stopped by courses of intravenous injections of antibiotics of the penicillin group, cephalosporins.
3. The disturbed water balance is restored by using saline solutions, vitamins, prednisolone, agents that stabilize blood circulation in the brain, and taking anabolic steroids.

You need to know the following facts:

• Vaccination against encephalitis is guaranteed to protect against the disease.
• After 10 days, the blood is tested using PCR methods. Polymerase chain reaction identifies microorganisms that provoke the development of encephalitis and Lyme borreliosis.
• Two weeks later, a test is performed to determine the presence of antibodies that prevent infection with encephalitis.
• After a month, the presence of Lyme borreliosis antibodies can be detected.

The choice of antigenic material for vaccination, indicated for any person who is a resident of a disadvantaged region, who has a profession that requires frequent stay in forest areas, includes several types of vaccines produced by Russia, Switzerland, and Germany.

Vaccination with human immunoglobulin is a paid service. Free administration of gamma globulin is indicated for individuals, in accordance with the terms of the encephalitis treatment program provided for by the voluntary health insurance policy.

Russian-made vaccines

1. The use of concentrated culture purified inactivated dry vaccine is indicated for children over four years of age. The developer is the M.P. Chumakov Institute.
2. The administration of the drug Encevir, produced by the Microgen research and production association, is permitted from the age of 18 years.

Vaccines from the Austrian manufacturer BaxterVaccine AG

• the use of FSME-IMMUN Inject is indicated for the age category 1-16 years;
• The drug FSME-IMMUN Junior is used in a similar way.

German drugs

• Encepur vaccine for children, approved from the first years of life;
• use of Encepur for adults, indicated from 12 years of age

Vaccinations are given to everyone interested, given the absence of contraindications. Primary vaccination can be given to children during the first year of life, preferably using imported drugs. A timely vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is an effective preventive measure that allows you to minimize the symptoms and consequences of a tick-borne attack.

VIDEO: What to do if bitten by a tick

General information about ticks

Ticks are characterized by seasonality. The first cases of attack are recorded in early spring, when the air temperature rises above 0 0 C, and the latter - in autumn. Peak bites occur from April to July.

Bloodsuckers do not like bright sun and wind, so they lie in wait for their prey in humid, not too shady places, in dense grass and bushes. Most often found in ravines, on the edges of forests, along the edges of paths or in parks.

Tick ​​attack and bite

The tick gnaws through the skin using a hypostome (oral apparatus) dotted with growths along the edges facing backwards. This structure of the organ helps the bloodsucker to remain firmly in the tissues of the host.

With borreliosis, a tick bite looks like focal erythema up to 20–50 cm in diameter. The shape of the inflammation is most often regular, with an outer border of bright red color. After a day, the center of the erythema turns pale and acquires a bluish tint, a crust appears and soon the bite site is scarred. After 10–14 days, no trace remains of the lesion.

Signs of a tick bite

• there is weakness, a desire to lie down;
• chills and fever occur, possibly an increase in temperature;
• photophobia appears.

Attention. In people of this group, symptoms may be supplemented low blood pressure, increased heart rate, itching, headache and enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.

In rare cases, difficulty breathing and hallucinations may occur.

Temperature after a bite as a symptom of the disease

Each infection caused by a bloodsucker bite has its own characteristics:

1. With tick-borne encephalitis, relapsing fever appears. The first rise in temperature is recorded 2–3 days after the bite. After two days everything returns to normal. In some cases, a repeated increase in temperature is observed on days 9–10.
2. Borreliosis is characterized by fever in the middle of the disease, which is accompanied by other symptoms of infection.
3. With monocytic ehrlichiosis, the temperature rises 10-14 days after the tick bite and lasts about 3 weeks.

Almost all diseases transmitted by bloodsuckers are accompanied by fever.

Rules of conduct when bitten by a tick

So, what to do if you are bitten by a tick? First of all, it is necessary to remove the bloodsucker as soon as possible. This should be done slowly and carefully so as not to damage it or cause infection. Do not use gasoline, nail polish or other chemicals. It won't help either vegetable oil or fat. It is better to use effective and practice-tested methods.

Removing a tick with a thread

The method is simple, but requires a lot of dexterity and patience. It will be useful when extracting large specimens. For the procedure to be successful, it is recommended to perform the following steps:

Extracting a tick with a thread

The removed bloodsucker must be placed in a glass container with a tight lid and taken to the laboratory for research.

Removing a tick using tweezers

Attention. When removing the bloodsucker, tweezers must be held strictly parallel or perpendicular to the skin.

Tick ​​twisters

Tick ​​removers are very effective

Other ways to remove ticks

1. Wrap your fingers in a handkerchief or gauze to make it easier to hold the tick.
2. Grab it at the very border with the skin and pull it out with smooth twisting movements.
3. Disinfect the wound or rinse with water.

If for some reason the tick cannot be preserved for analysis, it should be destroyed by pouring boiling water over it or burning it over a fire.

Attention. If you cannot remove the bloodsucker yourself, you must go to the nearest emergency room.

Medical workers will provide first aid in case of a tick bite: they will professionally remove it and send it for examination, they will disinfect the wound and tell you what to do next. The doctor will definitely inform you what symptoms you should pay attention to in the next month.

What to do after removing a tick?

In people predisposed to allergies, a tick bite can cause a strong response in the body. Facial swelling often develops, difficulty breathing and muscle pain appear. In this case it is necessary:

• give the victim an antihistamine: Suprastin, Claritin, Zyrtec;
• provide access to fresh air, unbutton clothes;
• Call an ambulance.

All other diagnostic and treatment measures are carried out only in a hospital setting.

It is recommended that ticks be tested for diseases as soon as possible.

If the tick could not be kept alive, for early diagnosis of the disease it is recommended to donate blood to detect immunoglobulins for infections. The analysis is carried out quickly, the result is usually ready within 5–6 hours. If you have been vaccinated, you must indicate the date when donating blood. The presence of vaccine antibodies may confuse health care providers.

Diseases caused by tick bites

Encephalitis and borreliosis are the most common diseases caused by a tick bite

For Russia the most significant diseases from a tick bite are tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme borreliosis and zoonotic infections. Let's look at them in a little more detail.

Attention. The virus is transmitted through a tick bite. Transmission of the pathogen by the alimentary route is often recorded - through an infected cow or goat milk, not subjected to boiling.

Asymptomatic disease is very common and can reach 85–90% in some areas. Prolonged blood sucking significantly increases the risk of developing pronounced forms of pathology. The virus tolerates low temperatures well, but dies fairly quickly when heated to 80 °C.

Infection tick-borne encephalitis is seasonal. The first peak of the disease occurs in May-June, the second is recorded in August - early September.

During a bite, the pathogen immediately enters the human blood through the salivary glands of the tick, where it is found in the greatest concentration. After a few hours, the virus penetrates the victim’s central nervous system, and after 2 days it can be detected in brain tissue. The incubation period for encephalitis from a tick bite is 14–21 days, and when infected through milk - no more than a week.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis

The majority of victims have an asymptomatic form of infection, and only 5% have a pronounced form of infection. Tick-borne encephalitis most often begins suddenly with the following symptoms:

• increased body temperature to 39-40 °C;
• strong headache;
• sleep disturbance;
• nausea leading to vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• redness of the skin of the face and upper body;
• weakness, decreased performance.

Such symptoms are characteristic of the febrile form of the disease, which disappears after 5 days. There is no damage to the central nervous system in this case.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis - this is what a person who gets sick after a tick bite looks like

Meningeal and meningoencephalitic forms of pathology are much more severe. The patient complains of lethargy, apathy and drowsiness. Hallucinations, delirium, impaired consciousness, and convulsions similar to epileptic seizures appear. The meningoencephalitic form can be fatal, which is very rare in recent years.

Periodic muscle twitching indicates damage to the peripheral nerves. A polyradiculoneuritic form of encephalitis develops, in which general sensitivity is impaired. With the polioencephalomyelitis form of the disease, paresis of the arms and legs is observed.

Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis)

Distributed in the northern regions of Russia. The pathogen enters the human bloodstream when bitten by ixodid ticks and can persist in the body for years. The first symptoms of the disease include:

• headache;
• temperature rise to 38-39 °C;
• fatigue, weakness and apathy.

1–3 weeks after a tick bite, a thickening and ring erythema appear at the site of suction, which can reach 20–50 cm in diameter.

Circular erythema is the main symptom of borreliosis

Attention. Despite the fact that a few weeks after the bite the red spot disappears without a trace, it is necessary to test for the presence of the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, since the disease has serious complications and can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to a child.

Often the central nervous system, heart, muscles and ligaments, joints and organs of vision are involved in the pathological process. Late diagnosis and untimely therapy can lead to chronic borreliosis, which often ends in disability.

Ehrlichiosis

The disease is also transmitted by ixodid ticks. Deer are considered the main reservoir of Ehrlichia, with dogs and horses serving as intermediate reservoirs.

Ehrlichiosis can be asymptomatic or clinically pronounced, even fatal. Common signs of the disease include:

• fever;
• increased sweating;
• weakness, drowsiness;
• nausea to the point of vomiting;
• rigor.

In the acute phase of ehrlichiosis, anemia and a decrease in the level of platelets and leukocytes in the blood are observed.

Relapsing tick-borne typhus

The infection is usually recorded in southern Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. The disease always occurs suddenly and begins with a vesicle at the site of the tick bite. Then other symptoms are added to the skin manifestations:

• fever;
• increased body temperature;
• aching joints;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache.

Gradually, the bubble becomes bright red, a pronounced rash appears on the patient’s body, the liver enlarges, the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow.

Tick-borne typhus rash

The disease is wavy in nature. The acute phase usually lasts from 3 to 5 days, then the victim’s condition returns to normal and the temperature drops. A few days later everything repeats again. There can be many such attacks. Each subsequent one occurs with less severity.

Coxiellosis

It is one of the most common zoonotic infections in the world. The disease can be transmitted by both farm and wild animals. One of the distributors of the pathogen is the tick, most often the ixodid tick. It is capable of maintaining rickettsiae in the body for a long time and transmitting them to offspring. The first symptoms appear 5–30 days after the tick bite:

• increased sweating;
• elevated temperature;
• dry, exhausting cough;
• loss of appetite;
• redness of the face and upper body;
• migraines, weakness and drowsiness.

KU fever is often accompanied by pneumonia, pain in the lower back and muscles. The temperature in the first days of the disease can change several times during the day. This disease can only be treated in a hospital setting; it responds well to therapy and recovery occurs quickly. Complications are rare, and the outcome of the disease is most often favorable. A person who has recovered from coxiellosis develops a strong immune system.

Treatment of victims of tick bites

If a tick has bitten and the test results reveal an infection, the patient is given immunotherapy based on doctor’s prescriptions. Further treatment depends on the type of pathogen that has entered the body.

Treatment of patients with tick-borne encephalitis

There are currently no specific treatments for tick-borne encephalitis. If signs of central nervous system damage appear, the victim must be hospitalized to provide medical care. The treatment regimen includes:

1. Bed rest during the entire duration of the fever and a week after it ends.
2. In the first days of the disease, administration of immunoglobulin is indicated. To achieve the best result, it is necessary to apply the product as early as possible, preferably in the first three days after the tick bite.
3. In general cases, the patient is prescribed corticosteroid drugs and blood substitutes.
4. For meningitis, increased doses of vitamins B and C are administered.
5. If respiratory functions deteriorate, the victim is advised to receive artificial ventilation.

During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed nootropics, tranquilizers and testosterone simulators.

As an addition to the main treatment, antibiotics may be prescribed to the bite victim. Antimicrobial drugs are used to suppress pathogenic microflora that can cause various complications.

Therapy for patients with borreliosis

Treatment for Lyme borreliosis involves taking antibiotics. They are used to suppress spirochetes, the causative agents of the disease. The most commonly used drugs are penicillins and cephalosporins. To relieve erythema, antimicrobial agents of the tetracycline group are prescribed.

Antibiotics are used to treat borreliosis

If neurological disorders appear, the victim is hospitalized. In the hospital, complex therapy is carried out, including:

• blood substitutes;
• corticosteroids;
• testosterone mimics;
• nootropic drugs to improve cerebral circulation;
• vitamin complexes.

The outcome of borreliosis depends on the timely detection of a tick bite, correct diagnosis and early initiation of therapy. Incompetent treatment often leads to the chronic phase of Lyme disease, which is difficult to treat and can result in disability or death of the victim.

Attention. To treat protozoal infections, medications are used that prevent further growth and development of protozoa.

Complications after a tick bite

Summarizing all of the above, we can draw a very disappointing conclusion about the consequences of a tick bite. As you can see, infections affect the most important systems of the body:

• lungs - with the development of symptoms of pneumonia and pulmonary hemorrhages;
• liver - indigestion, problems with stool (diarrhea);
• CNS - with frequent headaches, hallucinations, paresis and paralysis;
• cardiovascular system - arrhythmia and blood pressure surges appear;
• joints - arthritis and arthralgia are formed.

The consequences of a tick bite can develop in two ways. With a favorable outcome, loss of performance, weakness and lethargy continue for 2–3 months, then all body functions return to normal.

For moderate illness, recovery lasts up to six months or longer. A serious form of the disease requires a rehabilitation period of up to 2–3 years, provided that the disease proceeded without paralysis or paresis.

If the outcome is unfavorable, there is a persistent and long-term (or permanent) decrease in the quality of life of the victim of a tick bite. Manifests itself as a violation of motor function. The clinical picture worsens significantly under the influence of nervous and physical fatigue, pregnancy, regular intake alcohol.

Persistent disorders in the form of epileptic manifestations and spontaneous convulsions lead to the patient's incapacity.

Disability as a consequence of a tick bite

As you know, there are 3 groups of disabilities. The degree of damage to the body after a tick bite is determined by a special medical commission:

1. Group III disability - mild paresis of the arms and legs, rare epileptic seizures, inability to perform highly skilled work that requires precision and attention.
2. Disability of group II - severe paresis of the limbs, partial paresis of muscles, severe epilepsy with mental changes, asthenic syndrome, loss of the ability to self-care.
3. Group I disability - acquired dementia, severe motor dysfunction, persistent and complete epilepsy, widespread muscle paresis, loss of self-control and inability to move independently.

In especially severe cases, with inadequate treatment of infections caused by a tick bite or complete lack of therapy, death is possible.

Prevention of tick bites

The main and main measure to prevent diseases transmitted by bloodsuckers is vaccination. The event significantly reduces the risk of infection after tick bites. Vaccination is necessary for people living in epidemiologically dangerous areas or people whose work is related to forestry.

Vaccination is the main measure to prevent diseases caused by tick bites.

Advice. Despite the limited risk group, it is better for everyone to get vaccinated. After all, it is not known where you will be “lucky” to encounter a tick.

Primary vaccination is allowed from early age. Adults can use domestic and imported drugs, children - only imported ones. You should not buy the vaccine yourself and bring it to the vaccination office. They won't drive her anyway. The drug requires very strict storage rules, adherence to certain temperature and light conditions, which is impossible to do at home. Therefore, there is no point in purchasing an expensive drug and storing it in the refrigerator.

There are two vaccination options:

1. Preventive vaccination. Helps protect against tick bites for a year, and after additional vaccination - for at least 3 years. Revaccinations are carried out every three years.
2. Emergency vaccination. Allows you to protect yourself from tick bites for a short period of time. For example, such a procedure will be necessary for an urgent trip to regions with high tick-borne activity. While staying in epidemiologically dangerous areas, it is recommended to take iodantipyrine.

The vaccine is administered only after a detailed interview, visual inspection and temperature measurement. Persons with inflammatory diseases are not vaccinated until complete recovery.

How to protect yourself from a tick bite?

When going to an unfavorable area, you should choose clothes in light colors:

• a shirt or jacket with cuffs and a tight-fitting collar, trousers tucked into boots;
• anti-encephalitis suit;
• a thick hood with ties that protects the ears and neck from ticks;
• It is advisable to treat clothes with insecticidal agents.

The best way do not “meet” a tick - strictly follow all preventive measures

To repel ticks, special insecticidal products based on DEET are produced, but repellents are not effective enough and require application every 2 hours. They can be used on exposed areas of the body and clothing.

Acaricides are more effective. The drugs are used for contact destruction of ticks. They can only be used on outerwear worn over underwear.

Attention. Acaricides for application to the skin are often found on sale. However, they should be used very carefully. A severe allergic reaction and poisoning is possible.

Tick-borne encephalitis insurance

Recently, insurance for expenses associated with possible encephalitis after an “encounter” with a tick has become widespread. This measure is often used as an addition to vaccination or as an independent measure.

Insurance for the costs associated with the treatment of a tick bite will not hurt anyone

Insurance will help pay for expensive treatment for tick-borne encephalitis and other infections carried by bloodsuckers.

Attention. The article is for reference only. Competent diagnosis and treatment of diseases is possible only under the supervision of a specialist.

However, many neglect precautions and begin to think about possible infection not immediately, but only after some time, when the same tick can no longer be found, and it is too late to carry out prevention (it is effective only in the first 3-4 days after the bite).

In this case, there is only one option left - to monitor the condition of the injured person and, at the first symptoms of the disease, go to the hospital and begin treatment. After an encephalitis tick bite, in case of infection of the body, the incubation period of tick-borne encephalitis in a person is several days - at this time, it is impossible to tell from external signs whether the disease is developing in the body or not. And only the first characteristic symptoms usually clearly indicate that the disease has begun. Or, if the usual incubation period has passed and there are no signs of illness, you can rest assured that infection has not occurred.

How long a bite victim needs to carefully monitor his condition and what nuances are important to take into account will be discussed below...

Duration of the incubation period of tick-borne encephalitis

It should be borne in mind that the duration of the incubation period of tick-borne encephalitis is not a constant value - it is individual for each person, and depends on the following factors:

• The number of viral particles that enter the body during a bite;
• State of the immune system at the time of infection;
• The number of ticks that have bitten a person.

Cases have been reported in which encephalitis manifested itself within three days after the bite, but there is also evidence of the development of the disease 21 days after the tick attack. On average, the incubation period of tick-borne encephalitis lasts 10-12 days, and after this period the likelihood of getting sick is significantly reduced.

People with weakened immune systems should watch themselves especially carefully - they are more likely to get sick after a tick bite. In people with strong immunity, even an infection that has entered the body in most cases is suppressed by the immune system, and the disease does not develop.

On a note

Also at risk are people who have recently arrived in an area where tick-borne encephalitis is endemic. Old-timers in such areas may have immunity formed naturally - from rare tick bites and small amounts of the virus entering the body. New arrivals do not have such protection, and if bitten, the likelihood of becoming infected is much higher.

Age also plays a role, although not a primary one. According to statistics, children are most susceptible to tick-borne encephalitis - in some areas they account for more than 60% of cases. This may be due both to the imperfection of the child’s body’s immunity compared to adults, and to the banal fact that a child more often finds himself in conditions of possible infection (while playing with peers) and is not so careful about his own protection from tick bites.

However, there is not a single age group whose representatives are not affected by tick-borne encephalitis at all.

As a result, after a tick bite, any affected person must be monitored for three weeks. If during this time the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis have not developed, then you can rest assured that the danger of getting sick has passed.

On a note

There is another way of contracting encephalitis - through raw milk of infected goats and cows, or corresponding dairy products. Moreover, if goats themselves get sick when infected with the TBE virus, then in cows it multiplies in the body absolutely asymptomatically.

When infected milk is consumed, the incubation of the virus proceeds on average faster, and the disease manifests itself after about a week.

Now let's see what happens to the virus immediately after it enters the human body and how it develops during the incubation period...

Penetration of the TBE virus into the body and the initial stage of tissue damage

Once in the wound, viral particles (actually, these are RNA molecules in a protein shell) penetrate directly from the intercellular space into the host cells. Usually these are cells of the subcutaneous tissue and adjacent muscles (although when infected through dairy products, this can also be the gastrointestinal tract).

When entering a cell, the viral particle loses its envelope, and only RNA appears inside the host cell. It reaches the genetic apparatus in the nucleus, integrates into it, and in the future the cell will constantly produce, along with its components, proteins and RNA of the virus.

When an infected cell produces enough infectious particles, it can no longer perform its functions and function normally. Cells literally filled with viral particles are destroyed - as a result a large number of virions enter the intercellular space and spread to other cells, and the decay products of the dead cell (and partly the antigens of viral particles) cause inflammation. During the incubation period, the number of viral particles in human tissues constantly and very quickly grows.

The photo below shows what tick-borne encephalitis virus particles look like under a microscope:

If the immune system of an infected person is strong enough, it quickly identifies virus antigens as dangerous and begins producing antibodies that bind viral particles, preventing them from infecting new cells. In this case, no symptoms of the disease will appear - gradually the infection will be completely suppressed. But if antibodies are not produced (for example, the immune system does not identify the virus as a dangerous structure for the body), or there are not enough of them, then the viruses pass into the bloodstream and, along with it, are spread throughout the body.

Initially, tick-borne encephalitis affects and destroys the so-called reticuloendothelial cells that perform a protective function. However, just three days after infection, the virus is able to penetrate the central nervous system.

It is the brain that is the most favorable place for the virus to multiply - and here it works in the same way, destroying cells and infecting new ones. But if subcutaneous tissue recovers quickly when damaged, then nerve cells lack this ability. This is why brain damage is dangerous for any organism - the cells of the brain and meninges do not recover for a long time, and their damage leads to permanent health problems.

Despite the fact that in the classic case, encephalitis begins quite abruptly and unexpectedly, sometimes changes in well-being occur already during the incubation period - the so-called prodromal symptoms. These include increased fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, poor appetite, and general malaise. These are the first signals that infection has occurred.

On a note

In the vast majority of cases, the infection goes undetected, and the disease takes on an erased asymptomatic form. Infection can only be guessed by the presence of antibodies in the blood of an apparently healthy person.

When the amount of multiplying virus begins to clearly interfere with the normal functioning of the body, the first symptoms of the disease appear. If tick-borne encephalitis corresponds to the Far Eastern subtype, then severe damage to the nervous system occurs quite quickly. Due to the degradation of nerve cells, epileptic seizures, muscle weakness and atrophy, and paralysis may occur.

The mortality rate of those sick in the Far East is quite high - this is a quarter of all cases of the disease. In Europe, the probability of death from encephalitis is much lower - only 1-2% of patients die.

Is a person contagious during the incubation period?

Today only two are known possible ways infection with tick-borne encephalitis - through the bites of infected ticks, as well as through milk and dairy products from infected goats and cows. If a person gets sick with tick-borne encephalitis, then he is not contagious to others. This applies to both the incubation period and the time of the most severe manifestations. The disease will not be transmitted by communication (airborne droplets), touching or through mucous membranes.

The same applies to pets - the owner cannot get an infection from a sick dog that has been infected by a tick (it is useful to keep in mind that dogs in most cases become infected from ticks not with encephalitis, but with piroplasmosis).

So you don’t have to worry about the danger of a person bitten by a tick for others - transmission of TBE from person to person is simply impossible. Even if infected, a person will not be dangerous to his loved ones, you can communicate with him, stay in the same room and care for him - the virus will not be transmitted either by airborne droplets or by contact.

The first symptoms of the disease that you should pay attention to

When monitoring the condition of an adult or child who has been bitten by a tick, you should pay attention to even a slight deterioration in well-being. Increased fatigue over several days of the incubation period can already become one of the first prodromal symptoms of the disease.

On a note

As a rule, tick-borne encephalitis begins abruptly. Often patients can even name a specific time when they felt bad. Classic first signs of the disease:

• The temperature rises sharply;
• Progressive headaches are observed;
• Swelling of the face appears;
• Sometimes severe nausea and vomiting occur.

Such primary symptoms are characteristic of the relatively mild European subtype of encephalitis. For the more severe Far Eastern variant, in addition to the above manifestations, already at the beginning of the disease, double vision, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and difficulty urinating are typical. Pathologies of the nervous system may immediately be observed - for example, deterioration in the mobility of the neck muscles. Patients are very apathetic and lethargic, any communication increases their headache and causes even more discomfort. In the future, such symptoms only intensify, especially without timely treatment.

It is especially dangerous if signs of brain damage immediately begin to appear. Difficulty in movement, seizures and convulsions may indicate a severe form of the disease, which requires urgent hospitalization. However, in the same way, any progressive symptom should be a signal to immediately go to the hospital.

Doctor's help is no less important with the relatively “mild version” of tick-borne encephalitis (European). This is absolutely not a disease in which you can rely only on the strength of your body. Vitamins, exercise stress And Fresh air, of course, are useful, but they definitely will not cure tick-borne encephalitis. Self-medication and delay are absolutely unacceptable for this disease.

Sometimes situations arise when immediate delivery of a person to a medical facility is impossible. In such cases, you need to place the patient's bed in a darkened but well-ventilated room. It is recommended to give him plenty of water. Food should be homogeneous so as not to cause unnecessary headaches by chewing. If urgently needed, painkillers can be used. Both at the very beginning of the disease and later, it is necessary to provide the sick person with maximum physical, mental and spiritual peace.

On a note

When transporting to the hospital, it is important to position the person comfortably in the car to reduce shaking. The car must be driven low speed, avoid sharp turns. It should be noted that the more time passes from the onset of the disease, the harder the patient tolerates any movement. Therefore, when the first symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor as quickly as possible.

Further development of tick-borne encephalitis and its possible consequences

The high temperature with which the disease usually begins lasts for about a week from the end of the incubation period. But this period can reach up to 14 days.

At the height of the disease, the symptoms of encephalitis can vary greatly, depending on its form. In turn, the more severe the form will be, the more the virus multiplies in nerve cells.

In the mildest form - febrile - there are no symptoms of brain damage at all, and only standard infectious manifestations are observed. Therefore, this form of encephalitis can sometimes be confused with the flu.

The most common form of CE, meningeal, is similar in symptoms to meningitis. Patients suffer from severe headaches, increased intracranial pressure and photophobia. This changes the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid. However, the meningeal form, for all its danger, is also treatable.

The disease is especially severe in the meningoencephalitic form, which has a high mortality rate. Multiple small hemorrhages are found in the brain, dies Gray matter, convulsions and seizures are observed. Recovery is possible, but it can take years, and full recovery is very rare. Due to necrosis of brain tissue, a decrease in intelligence may develop, which leads to disability and the development of mental disorders.

There are other forms of tick-borne encephalitis - poliomyelitis and polyradiculoneuritis. In this case, the virus is localized mainly in the spinal cord, causing a complex of motor disorders. This may be tingling or numbness of the muscles, a feeling of “running goosebumps”, weakness of the limbs. If the outcome is unfavorable, the disease can result in paralysis and death.

Statistics show that about a third of patients who had symptoms of serious damage to the nervous system completely restore their health. We are talking about all the forms of encephalitis listed above. However, the mortality rate for severe forms of the disease ranges from 20 to 44%, depending on the region. A separate group of patients (from 23 to 47%) are people who have significant consequences after the disease, including disabled people.

The photo below shows the consequences of tick-borne encephalitis (atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle against the background of the polio form of TBE):

With this in mind, it becomes quite obvious that for any obvious signs health problems during the incubation period of tick-borne encephalitis, it is necessary to deliver the victim of a tick bite to a doctor as soon as possible to clarify the situation and begin treatment. The sooner treatment begins (if it is required), the significantly lower the risk of possible severe consequences of CE.

Treatment of tick-borne encephalitis

The main method of treating the disease is a course of injections of specific anti-encephalitis gamma globulin. This substance is a protein from the class of antibodies that neutralizes tick-borne encephalitis viral particles in the body, preventing them from infecting new cells. The same immunoglobulin is also used for emergency prevention of the disease.

Ribonuclease is often used in treatment - a special enzyme that “cuts” the RNA strand (and this is the hereditary material of the virus), blocking its reproduction. If necessary, the patient may be prescribed interferon, a special protein that enhances the cells’ own protection from damage by viral particles.

There is usually no need to use all three drugs at once, but such a need may arise if a severe form of the disease develops.

Despite the level of severity of symptoms, strict bed rest is indicated for all patients with tick-borne encephalitis. How more people moves, especially in the initial period of the disease, the higher the chance of complications. Any increased intellectual activity during the acute period of the disease is also prohibited. At the same time, it is important to increase the duration of sleep, eat varied and sufficiently high-calorie foods.

Normally, the patient must be treated in a hospital for 14 to 30 days. The minimum period of treatment for CE is required for the mildest (febrile) form of the disease, the maximum for meningeal form is from 21 to 30 days.

After this time, patients usually fully recover and can return to their normal lives. However, for two months after recovery, you should choose the most gentle daily routine for yourself and not overwork yourself. The body will still need time to fully recover.

For more severe forms of tick-borne encephalitis, the period spent in hospital is between 35-50 days. The patient can either be completely cured or suffer serious complications in the form of impaired motor functions, muscle numbness, and mental disorders.

Resumption of well-being in such cases can take from six months to several years, and sometimes the consequences of encephalitis remain with a person for life.

It is important to know

Sustained positive dynamics in the first days of treatment do not guarantee recovery. There is a two-wave form of encephalitis, when after a week of imaginary improvement a new acute febrile period begins. Therefore, during treatment you must strictly adhere to the doctor’s recommendations to avoid relapse. With the correct actions of the patient, in most cases, complete recovery is observed, but for this it is important to treat interaction with the doctor as responsibly as possible.

Incubation period of other tick-borne infections

In general, the most dangerous period after a tick bite is two weeks. Taking into account possible fluctuations in the duration of the incubation period, it would be optimal to monitor the condition of the affected person for 21 days after removing the tick. Of course, there have been precedents for later manifestations of disease after a bite, but these cases are very rare. Therefore, if three weeks have passed since the tick attack, and everything is fine, then we can confidently say that no infection has occurred.

Despite the danger of tick-borne encephalitis and the need to monitor your condition after a tick bite, it is worth considering that infection, fortunately, occurs quite rarely. Not all ticks carry encephalitis, even in areas where this disease is endemic. For example, in Siberia and the Far East, only 6% of ticks are infected with the virus.

Most often, those who have been severely bitten become infected. Such risk groups include tourists, foresters, hunters - these people can regularly remove 5-10 ticks from themselves. If a person is bitten by one tick, then the risk of getting sick is minimal. With a high probability, nothing terrible will happen after such a bite, so there is no need to panic. But it is imperative to monitor your well-being, just as you must consult a doctor if obvious symptoms of the disease appear during the standard incubation period.

It often happens that a person going for a walk in the forest or area with tall grass, does not even suspect that this will become a fatal mistake.

Many diseases transmitted by ticks often cause severe forms of disability, a significant reduction in life expectancy, and if the problem is detected late and treatment is started, it can even lead to death.

How dangerous are tick bites?

Ticks can become a source of dangerous diseases

This is where the ticks wait for them.

• tick-borne encephalitis;
• spotted fever;
• Omsk hemorrhagic fever;
• Crimean hemorrhagic fever;
• tularemia;

This is not a complete list of diseases that can develop after a tick bite in a person. Among other things, it should be borne in mind that often a person who has become a victim of a tick does not even know about it. These creatures produce saliva containing a high concentration of an anesthetic substance. In this way, insects can burrow into the skin unnoticed.

Despite the fact that it is difficult not to notice a tick that is swollen at times, it often happens that the insect falls off the wound before the person who has become its victim pays attention to it.

Therefore, the victim simply does not have the opportunity to go to a medical facility for vaccination, which leads to the fact that after a short incubation period, a disease begins to develop that can affect the rest of a person’s life. For more information about the danger ticks pose to humans, watch this video:

Even following all preventive safety measures does not allow you to 100% protect yourself from a tick bite. Considering that winters have become increasingly mild in recent years, many insects survive the cold well, this contributes not only to an increase in their numbers in a particular area, but also to the rapid expansion of their habitat.

Among other things, during the bite process, a significant amount of saliva enters human tissue. This may cause a severe allergic reaction.

Tick-borne encephalitis

There are 4 main forms of the disease, including focal febrile meningeal and paralytic. Each of the forms has its own degree of expression. The most favorable are the meningeal and febrile forms of the disease. They rarely cause severe problems. Only sometimes do these variants of tick-borne encephalitis acquire a chronic form and contribute to the development of severe encephalomyelitis, which causes a significant deterioration in the quality and duration of life.

Focal and paralytic forms of encephalomyelitis often cause the development of extremely severe complications, and lost functions due to damage to the brain and spinal cord cannot always be restored even with the most modern treatment.

The danger of this pathology lies in the fact that the central nervous system organs are primarily affected, which can have both immediate and delayed consequences.

As a rule, the characteristic manifestations of this disease begin to increase after the completion of the incubation period, the duration of which can range from 5 to 25 days. Regardless of the form of the disease, it always begins acutely. The characteristic symptomatic manifestations of this period of tick-borne encephalitis include:

• increased body temperature;
• drowsiness;
• apathy;
• chills;
• severe headaches;
• photophobia;
• discomfort when moving the eyeballs;
• skin redness;
• stiffness of the neck muscles;
• nausea and vomiting.

Subsequently, the symptomatic manifestations of the disease depend on the form of its course. With the meningeal variant of the disease, an increase in neurological disorders is observed, including facial asymmetry, nystagmus, and general hypertension. Often patients have a change in the level of consciousness and loss of sensation in the limbs.

In the paralytic form, symptoms increase rapidly, which often ends in death.

In addition to the feverish state, the patient always has a disturbance of consciousness, convulsions, and motor agitation. In the future, such brain damage can cause irreversible paralysis and other abnormalities, which, provided the patient survives during the acute period, are then extremely difficult to reverse. For information on the consequences of tick-borne encephalitis, watch this video:

It is worth noting that approximately 10% of people bitten by a tick and infected with encephalitis develop Kozhevnikova epilepsy syndrome, which is characterized by severe attacks accompanied by muscle contractions in half of the body, myoclonus and periodic generalized convulsions. In this case, this condition has a progressive chronic nature, which leads to rapid disruption of brain function and subsequent death of the patient.

In addition, there are frequent cases of the development of upper poliomyelitis in people who have had tick-borne encephalitis.

This condition is accompanied by a combination of central and peripheral paresis, the presence of high reflexes and muscle atrophy.

Tick-borne spotted and hemorrhagic fevers

A tick bite under certain circumstances can cause the appearance of one or another type of spotted or hemorrhagic fever. These diseases, as a rule, have a clear connection to a specific area. They are provoked by certain types of microorganisms transmitted through a tick bite.

For example, a group of spotted fevers develops as a result of infection of the human body with rickettsia. The most common types include:

• Mediterranean fever;
• tick-borne typhus of North Asia,
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever;
• vesicular rickettsiosis.
• Far Eastern tick-borne rickettsiosis;
• African tick-bite fever.

Although these diseases cause different types rickettsia, yet their clinical manifestations are similar. The most characteristic symptoms of spotted fevers include:

• papule formation;
• the appearance of a focus of necrosis and scab;
• fever;
• weakness;
• myalgia;
• arthralgia;
• insomnia;
• redness of the skin;
• rash;
• liver enlargement;
• conjunctivitis;
• scleritis;
• hyperpigmentation of the skin at the site of the rash.

Most varieties of spotted fevers have a benign course. The exception is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. When directed drug treatment can significantly reduce the manifestations of the acute period of the disease.

Hemorrhagic fevers that develop after a tick bite are more dangerous diseases.

As a rule, they develop as a result of certain types of arbovirus entering the human body.

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As a rule, an increased incidence of one or another type of hemorrhagic fever is observed in a certain region where there are natural foci of infection. The Omsk and Crimean varieties of hemorrhagic fever are considered the most dangerous. The characteristic manifestations of Omsk hemorrhagic fever begin to increase after the end of the incubation period, which lasts from 2 to 4 days. The patient has:

• a sharp increase in body temperature;
• deterioration of general condition;
• Strong headache;
• muscle weakness and pain;
• lethargy and apathy.

The virus in this case primarily affects the adrenal glands, nervous system and blood vessels. After the first acute period, the disease subsides and relapses. An increase in the number of the virus in the human body under conditions of reduced immunity can have fatal consequences. Some patients with this disease experience cardiac dysfunction.

In addition, approximately 30% of people injured by a tick bite and showing signs of Omsk hemorrhagic fever subsequently develop a severe form of pneumonia.

Damage to the nervous system often causes the development of meningoencephalitis. In addition, there may be signs of kidney problems. In severe cases, recovery may take a long time. Crimean hemorrhagic fever is an even more dangerous disease. It is accompanied by a two-wave fever. After completing the incubation period, which can last from 1 to 14 days, the victim of a tick bite begins to show the following symptoms:

• rapid increase in body temperature;
• hemorrhagic rash on mucous membranes and skin;
• hemorrhages at injection sites;
• gastrointestinal and uterine bleeding;
• hemoptysis.

Among other things, signs of damage to the brain and spinal cord may increase. Depending on the intensity and rate of increase of thrombohemorrhagic syndrome, the outcome of the disease depends. The mortality rate for this disease is extremely high.

The danger of Lyme disease after a tick bite

Often Lyme disease or tick-borne erythema acquires a chronic relapsing course, which leads to dysfunction of a number of organs and first leads to disability and premature death of patients.

Once in the bloodstream, the causative agent of the disease spreads throughout the body through the circulatory system, settling in the liver, eyes, heart, synovial membranes of joints and other organs. This disease usually has 3 main stages. The first phase of development is characterized by the appearance of a characteristic round-shaped rash at the site of the bite, which is called erythema.

Additional lesions may appear on the skin depending on the speed and spread of Borrelia. The first stage of pathology development is always local in nature. Typically, the first local stage of development of borreliosis begins to manifest itself with severe symptoms after the end of the incubation period, which usually lasts from 1 to 30 days. At this stage, in addition to the characteristic spotty rashes on the skin, the following may be observed:

• general malaise;
• increased body temperature;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• chills;
• headache
• vomit;
• nausea.

Often at this stage the disease stops and recovery is observed. This option is considered the most favorable. In other cases, the disease appears again approximately 2 to 10 weeks after the first acute period. This is the second stage of development of borreliosis.

Characteristic manifestations of the disease during this period include neurological disorders, including radiculoneuritis, meningitis and neuritis of the facial nerves.

Thus, a seemingly harmless tick bite can ruin a person’s entire future life.

In addition, approximately 4 - 5 weeks after activation of the pathological process, cardiac disorders begin to increase, including impaired ventricular conduction, atrial fibrillation, etc. As a rule, such conduction disturbances can be observed for 1 - 2 weeks, after which the condition normalizes . At the same time, at stage 2 of the development of borreliosis, cardiac dysfunctions that are fatal for the patient may develop, for example, dilated cardiomyopathy and fatal pancarditis. For more information about Lyme disease, watch this video:

The transition of the disease to phase 3 of development can occur a year, and sometimes 10 years after the tick bite. In this case, the patient progresses to encephalomyelitis, accompanied by increasing neurological disorders. In addition, there is progressive atrophic acrodermatitis and benign lymphadenosis of the skin.

Most patients develop polyarthritis. this leads to a gradual loss of a person’s ability to move normally, speak and even think.

Usually, with the progressive phase 3 of the development of borreliosis, the patient’s quality of life deteriorates significantly, and he requires constant care. Life expectancy is significantly reduced due to increasing disruption of various systems.

Ehrlichiosis as a consequence of a tick bite

Another dangerous complication of an ixodid tick attack is ehrlichiosis. There are several forms of this disease, which are provoked by different genotypes of the pathogen, transmitted to humans through a tick bite.

The incubation period usually lasts from 8 to 14 days. After completing this phase, the patient exhibits the following symptoms of the disease:

• chills;
• increased body temperature;
• thrombocytopenia;
• increased activity of liver enzymes;
• muscle pain;
• headache;
• feverish condition;
• rash.

In severe cases, the disease can be complicated by respiratory distress syndrome, neurological disorders, renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The mortality rate for various forms of ehrlichiosis reaches 10%.

Babesiosis after a tick bite

This disease is characterized by a progressive, severe course. Babesiosis is accompanied by increasing fever, anemia and general intoxication of the body. The disease is currently quite rare, so this pathology is detected too late. The incubation period of the disease lasts on average 1-2 weeks.

Characteristic manifestations of babesiosis that developed after a tick bite occurred include:

• increased body temperature;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• headaches;
• greatest weakness.

Further, increasing intoxication of the body, including pallor of the skin, jaundice, enlarged liver and oligonutria, joins the clinical picture. In addition, symptoms of acute renal failure increase. Often it is severe uremia that causes death. In addition, signs of severe anemia, pneumonia and sepsis may appear.

Consequences of unprofessional tick removal

When a tick bites, people try to get rid of the insect as quickly as possible, which can also have fatal consequences. If the insect is removed incorrectly, its head and proboscis may remain in the wound. Usually a person can independently remove the head from the wound and treat it with a special antiseptic, but the proboscis remains. To learn how to properly remove a tick, watch this video:

If this part of the tick's body remains in the wound, the bitten person may become a victim of sepsis. The process usually develops quite rapidly. The tissues in the wound become inflamed and swollen. Then it begins to rot. The accumulation of pus in the wound becomes critical. It begins to melt the surrounding tissue.

Pus can enter the bloodstream, causing severe sepsis if a person does not promptly seek medical help, where doctors can drain the pus from the affected area.

In addition, strong antibiotics are prescribed. The duration of the course of medication should be determined by the attending physician. In the absence of timely medical care, death is possible.

How to reduce the risk of serious consequences from a tick bite?

An important point is the further treatment of the wound with special disinfection solutions.

To prevent the development of tick-borne encephalitis, an immunoglobulin vaccination is immediately carried out, which reduces the risk of developing this life-threatening disease. Watch this video about the consequences of a tick bite:

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

General information

Ticks don't like dampness. Tick ​​bites should be expected in warm and not rainy weather. During bite The tick injects a special anesthetic substance, so the attack occurs completely unnoticed. For bites, choose hidden clothing and tender places. Favorite places for suction are the elbows, scalp, legs and arms, and groin.

The most serious consequences await after the bite taiga or European forest ticks. These types of insects are quite large compared to other representatives of the group. They feed on blood. The hard chitinous shell covering the entire body of the insect stretches across the abdomen, so it can absorb quite a lot of blood and become like a large bean. Males are smaller than females and also absorb very little blood - one hour is enough for them to become saturated. Ticks can smell their prey with their “nose” ten meters away, but they have no vision at all.
Three or even five years pass from the moment the egg is laid until the adult appears. Moreover, over all these years, the tick drinks the blood of its victims only a few times.

Tick ​​habitats

Ticks lie in wait for their victims in damp places, forests with good thick grass, not too shady. Favorite places are ravines, edges and paths overgrown with grass. It is on such paths that they await their victims, because the paths store the odors of warm-blooded creatures.

Habits of ticks

Blood-sucking ticks appear in mid-spring, their population increases very quickly and by May their number is at its maximum, remaining until the very beginning of July. After which the population dies out, but some of its representatives can be observed in nature until the beginning of autumn.

The insect awaits its victim on a blade of grass or bush, up to 50 centimeters high. Sensing the object of the hunt, the insect stretches its legs forward and moves them, trying to cling. He does this very quickly, helped by the hooks and suction cups that are on his paws.
You need to remember once and for all: not a single tick falls on a person or animal from above. Found on the back or head, it simply crawled there from below in search of the most convenient place for suction.
The most “tasty” places are on the neck, head in animals and in the folds of human skin.
It takes almost a week for the female to become completely saturated. They are not picky when choosing food: birds, small or large mammals, and humans will do.

Possible consequences of a bite

One of the most serious consequences is contracting a disease. Infection occurs while the insect is feeding. As soon as the tick digs its proboscis into the body of the victim, it releases its saliva. The glands that produce saliva are very large. Saliva is a very important substance that ticks need for many different processes. First of all, she “glues” the proboscis to the body. In addition, saliva contains an anesthetic that makes the puncture painless for the victim, substances that destruct the walls of blood vessels and disrupt the functioning of local immunity.

Viral encephalitis

This is a disease affecting the nervous system. In severe cases, the patient develops paralysis and death occurs.
Ixodid ticks , inhabiting the forests and forest-steppes of Eurasia are the main carriers and sources of encephalitis viruses. This disease is dangerous only in spring and autumn, since it is at this time that ticks are most active.
You can become infected either by a tick bite or by consuming unboiled milk from cows or goats infected with encephalitis.
The type of encephalitis characteristic of the European part is milder and causes death in only 2% of cases. Whereas a person who contracts this disease in the Far East has a 30% chance of dying from the disease.

The main source of encephalitis are small rodents. They get sick very easily, but tolerate the disease almost unnoticed. Ticks also become infected from them. Viruses can be found in almost all organs and tissues, including the salivary glands. When saliva is injected into the victim's body, the virus is simultaneously transmitted. Most viruses are contained in the first thick portion of saliva, which acts like cement.

The encephalitis virus can be carried by ticks of any gender.

Symptoms
The signs of this disease are varied. They appear a week or two after a tick bite:

• weakness of arms and legs,
• impaired sensitivity of the skin of the upper body,
• temperature increase to 39 - 40 degrees,
• general deterioration of health,
• Strong headache ,
• redness of the skin of the upper body and mucous membranes,
• temporary deterioration of consciousness.

Tick-borne borreliosis or Lyme disease

The causative agent of this disease is spirochetes, which are spread in nature, including by ticks. The disease occurs in a chronic form, affecting almost all organs and systems.

You can become infected with tick-borne borreliosis on almost any continent. In Russia, the Tyumen, Kaliningrad, Perm, Yaroslavl, Leningrad, Tver and Kostroma regions, the Far East, Western Siberia, and the Urals are considered unfavorable for this disease.

A person infected with tick-borne borreliosis is not a source of danger to others.
Infection occurs through the tick's saliva. The pathogen very quickly penetrates through the bloodstream into almost all organs and tissues. After which Borrelia can remain in the body for decades.

Symptoms
Signs appear 2 to 30 days after the bite. At the site of virus introduction, a large bright scarlet spot appears, which gradually increases in diameter to 10 or even more centimeters. Most often, the spot is a regular round or ellipsoidal shape. Along the edge, the spot is limited by a ridge protruding above the level of the body. Gradually, the middle of the spot loses its color intensity and becomes bluish, covered with a crust and a scar. After 20–30 days, the spot completely disappears, and after another 4–6 weeks, symptoms of damage to the nervous and other systems appear.
The main diagnostic sign of the disease is the spot. This disease must be treated in a hospital, since if the pathogen is not destroyed, a chronic form develops, leading to disability.

Relapsing tick-borne typhus

These are acute infections caused by various representatives of spirochetes. You can become infected with them in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Krasnodar Territory, as well as in Africa, North and South America.
Ticks not only carry pathogens, but even pass them on to their offspring. Infection occurs during a tick bite.

Symptoms
A blister appears at the site of infection. Once in the body, the pathogen actively multiplies and penetrates the blood. The victim suddenly begins to shiver, he has a headache, he is very hot, he is lethargic, his limbs ache, the temperature rises to 39 - 40 degrees, he feels nauseous. At this stage, the bubble becomes dark red in color. The patient's body becomes covered with a rash, his liver and spleen are enlarged in size, and yellowing of the sclera and skin may be observed.

Sometimes there are symptoms of involvement of the heart and respiratory organs in the process. The acute period lasts 2–6 days, then the temperature normalizes or almost normalizes. The patient's condition is improving. But after a few days, a second attack begins, no different from the first. There can be from four to twelve attacks. Subsequent attacks are usually milder than the first.
The disease is diagnosed using a blood test. Treatment is inpatient. If a person was healthy and not exhausted before infection, then he has a high chance of making a full recovery.

Q fever

It is one of the most common zoonotic ( source is wild animals) rickettsioses throughout the world.
The causative agent of Q fever can exist for a long time in environment, it is difficult to destroy by disinfection, boiling ( no less than 10 minutes).
Both domestic and wild animals can carry Q fever. Ticks are one of the carriers of pathogens, and they pass them on to their offspring.
It is quite difficult to become infected from a patient - only through sputum or breast milk. The pathogen enters the body through the respiratory, digestive, and dermis organs. A recovered person has virtually no chance of becoming infected again.

Symptoms
Symptoms can appear either a few days or a month after the tick bite. Usually the onset of the disease is rapid:

• aches all over the body,
• headache,
• nonproductive cough,
• increased work of sweat glands,
• aversion to food
• insomnia,
• facial redness,
• increase in body temperature to 38 - 40 degrees.

In many cases, pneumonia is detected. The temperature can change several times per day. The disease can occur in acute, subacute, chronic, and also latent form.
To make a diagnosis, blood tests are taken and the patient is examined. Q fever can only be treated in a hospital. The disease responds well to drug treatment.

Hemorrhagic fevers

There are several types of hemorrhagic fevers that can be infected through a tick bite: Crimean, Omsk, with renal syndrome. Omsk hemorrhagic fever practically does not occur today. The Crimean form is common in the Rostov region, Crimea, the Taman Peninsula, Southern Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Bulgaria. The causative agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome are found in both Asia and Europe, regardless of the nature of the area.

Symptoms
All these diseases occur with an increase in body temperature, hemorrhages under the skin, as well as internal organs. The incubation period is for Omsk and Crimean - from 2 to 7 days, for fever with renal syndrome - from 10 to 25 days.

It is very important not to squeeze the insect’s body, no matter how it is removed. It is also important not to tear off the head of the tick, because the proboscis remaining in the body can provoke a purulent process. If the head comes off when removing the tick, it may still contain pathogens that penetrate the human body.

If, after removing the tick, a small black dot remains at the site of suction, this means that the head has come off and must be removed. To do this, the affected area is treated with alcohol and the wound is cleaned using a disinfected needle. After removing the head, you need to lubricate the wound with alcohol or iodine.
It is completely useless to drip oil or alcohol onto the tick, as some sources recommend. Such manipulations can lead to two results: either the tick will suffocate and remain in the wound, or it will get scared and begin to secrete more saliva and, along with it, pathogens.

Pincer twisters

Devices for removing ticks are preferable to tweezers in that the insect's body does not shrink at all and no more secretion is squeezed into the wound. Thus, the likelihood of infection is reduced.
Such devices are produced by foreign companies, but they can be purchased through online stores in any country. Using the device is very simple and is based on the principle of twisting. But such a device does not compress the insect’s body at all, unlike tweezers.

Insect in ear

This is a very unpleasant phenomenon that can result in a bite. To remove an insect from the ear, you need to lay the victim down, turn his head to the side and pour a small amount of slightly warmed water into the ear where the insect is located. Lie down for about a minute, then turn your head to the other side and wait until the water flows out and the insect comes out with it. Sometimes this is not enough, but in such cases you can’t do without medical help.

After the bite

If the bite occurred in epidemiologically disadvantaged areas, just pulling out the tick will not do the trick. Even one puncture is enough to introduce pathogens into the wound.

After removal, the insect should be placed in a glass bottle and a small piece of cotton wool slightly soaked in water should be thrown in there. Be sure to seal the bottle tightly and keep it in a cold place until poisoning in the hospital. For the analysis to be successful, the insect must be delivered to the laboratory alive.
There is also a technique that allows one to detect diseases using parts of an insect’s body. But this is an expensive method - PCR, which is not very common.
Even if the insect itself is infected, this does not mean that the bite necessarily led to infection of a person. The insect is examined just in case to avoid surprises.

You should definitely go to the hospital if:

• the affected area is very red and very swollen,
• 5 – 30 days after the bite, general health worsened: body temperature increased, chills, headache, it’s hard to move it, eyes hurt from the light.

How is an encephalitis tick bite diagnosed?

About 13% of ixodid ticks carry encephalitis, but just by looking at an insect it is in no way possible to determine whether it is infected or not. The answer will only be given by a laboratory test of the insect itself or the blood of the victim. It is completely useless to take a blood test immediately after a bite. It takes at least a week for an infection to develop in the body. Therefore, a PCR test is usually prescribed 10 days after the bite.

This analysis allows you to detect borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. A blood test for the presence of antibodies is done even later. Antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus will be detected in the blood only 14 days after the bite, and to Borrelia only after 4 weeks.

Immunoglobulin and other emergency aid after a bite

If the areas where the bite occurred are epidemiologically unfavorable, it is necessary to urgently prevent the development of serious diseases, primarily tick-borne encephalitis. Prevention is mandatory if a person is not vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, as well as in cases where there is a high probability of infection ( the tick is a carrier of the virus; several ticks were found at once).

It is best if the necessary medications are administered within 24 hours of the bite. If more than four days have passed, prevention is useless.
To prevent tick-borne encephalitis, immunoglobulin or antiviral drugs are used. These products are useless when infected with tick-borne borreliosis and other diseases transmitted by ticks.

Immunoglobulin
Today it is considered an obsolete drug and is no longer used in developed countries. Its disadvantages include high cost, as well as by-effect in the form of an allergy.

Immunoglobulin is produced from the serum of donor blood. The drug is produced only from the blood of people who already have antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus.
It is used both for the prevention and treatment of tick-borne encephalitis in people of different ages.

The drug is effective only in the first three days after possible infection. Before starting use, you should study the instructions, since immunoglobulin has many contraindications, and the drug itself causes a sufficient number of side effects.

The drug is used exclusively as prescribed by a doctor. It is infused intramuscularly, the dosage is selected taking into account the body weight of the victim.

Antiviral agents
Most often used yodantipyrine for patients over 14 years of age and anaferon for children. If none of these drugs are available, you can use any antiviral drug sold at the pharmacy ( arbidol, cycloferon, remantadine).

Yodantipyrine is an antiviral agent that stimulates the immune system and relieves inflammation. Under the influence of this drug, cell membranes stop allowing viruses to enter. The production of alpha and beta interferons is activated. The drug is effective against tick-borne encephalitis virus, influenza, parainfluenza, vesicular stomatitis, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. It is used for both treatment and prevention of diseases. The drug should not be used if you have hyperthyroidism.

Remantadine– it should be taken no later than 48 hours after the bite, 100 mg twice a day with an interval of 12 hours. Duration of treatment is three days.

What does a bite look like?

The tissue at the site of the bite turns red and swells - this is the body’s normal response to a tick bite. Normally, the redness should go away on its own within a couple of days after the insect is completely removed. But if you take antihistamines, the redness should go away faster.
Redness due to borreliosis ( erythema) appears 5–7 days after the bite.

Graft

Vaccination is an effective method of preventing infection. A very illustrative example is Austria, which ranked first on the mainland in the number of cases of tick-borne encephalitis. But when total vaccination was introduced, the incidence rate in the country dropped significantly. Today, at least 80% of the residents there are vaccinated. The effectiveness of the vaccine is 95%.

The vaccine contains killed tick-borne encephalitis virus. Once in the body, it is remembered by the immune system and subsequently, upon contact with this pathogen, the immune system instantly suppresses it. Lasting immunity develops 14 days after revaccination ( second vaccination). That is why you should get vaccinated in advance - even in winter.

Who should get vaccinated?

• people who live in areas unfavorable for tick-borne encephalitis,
• people planning to travel to areas unfavorable for this disease.

In the territory Russian Federation Six types of anti-encephalitis vaccine have been registered, two of them are created specifically for children.

Vaccination should be done after the end of the insect activity season, that is, from the end of autumn. Vaccination schedules vary slightly for different vaccines. In addition, emergency schemes have been developed for special cases, which make it possible to obtain immunity in a shorter time.

In special cases, you can also get vaccinated in the warm season, but you should keep in mind that immunity will appear three to four weeks after the first vaccination. During this time, it is advisable to avoid contact with insects.
To maintain immunity, revaccination should be carried out once every three years ( one dose of vaccine). If more than 5 years have passed since the next vaccination, it is necessary to carry out double vaccination again.

Bite insurance

Tick ​​bite insurance has its own characteristics compared to other types of insurance. Thus, the insurance policy does not provide monetary compensation for a tick bite, but a number of medical services:
1. The victim will be admitted to a special medical facility engaged in seroprophylaxis.
2. The tick will be removed.
3. Within two to three days after the bite, the victim will receive a preventive course of immunoglobulin.

All other services may vary depending on the insurance company. For example, the most a budget option insurance provides only one-time immunization. By paying for more expensive insurance, you can receive not only the full scope of immunization, but also therapy in the hospital if the disease develops, as well as all the necessary medications for post-hospital recovery.
Insurance can be individual or family ( one insurance policy is issued for all household members at once).

When applying for insurance, you need to ask the agent about all the details in as much detail as possible. After which you need to carefully read the contract - some insurance agents exaggerate and embellish the benefits of insurance.

You should be very careful when considering the following points:
1. Insurance amount. This is the amount of money that will be used by the insurance company for medical care. Sometimes the insurer claims that it provides full medical care and recovery, but at the same time a very small amount of money is included in the contract. In this case, it is almost impossible to get everything you need. To calculate the required amount of money, you should find out the prices for immunization and all necessary medical procedures.
2. What services are included? What exactly does the insurance company undertake to provide? The policy may indicate only one-time immunization. In this case, it is useless to expect more, even if the insurance amount is quite large. The question arises: why do you need so much money? This question is most relevant when purchasing an insurance policy for the whole family.
3. The insurance contract must contain an appendix: a list of all medical institutions where you can receive assistance under insurance. It is convenient if they are quite close. There are insurance companies that provide services throughout your state. After all, if you seek medical care from an institution with which there is no contract, you will need to pay for all medical services received.

Most policies indicate that immunoglobulin is administered no more than once every 4 weeks. This is dictated by medical indications: administering this drug more often is not only useless, but even harmful. For a month, the medicine acts as a kind of vaccination.

How to protect yourself?

First of all, when going to tick habitats, you need to dress properly. Clothes should have long sleeves, trousers, and you should also put something on your head, preferably a hood. Thermal underwear can be very convenient, as it fits perfectly to the body and prevents insects from crawling into secluded places.
Long socks or knee socks are required, and trouser legs should be tucked into boots or chosen with cuffs.
It is advisable that the collar be buttoned tightly enough.

Another effective remedy for ticks is repellents . They are sold in many stores and pharmacies.
The repellent should be applied to those places where the tick gets first - trouser legs, shoes and legs up to the thigh. Tick ​​repellents are quite toxic, so it is advisable to avoid getting them on exposed areas of the body.

And the third remedy is vigilance. You should periodically examine each other for preventive purposes.

What should I do if bitten by a tick

Before use, you should consult a specialist.