Tick-borne meningoencephalitis or Tick-borne encephalitis, is a tick-borne viral infection. It affects the central nervous system of the body. This virus can infect the brain, the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord or both. It is passed through the bite of infected sheep or deep ticks. It is rarely passed through non-pasteurized milk of an infected cow. About ten percent of these tick bites will lead to illness.
For the tick-borne agent to grow and spread it needs a temperature of at least 8 degrees Celsius. This is we see infection occurring between the months of April and October and peaks in June and July.
Tick-borne meningoencephalitin has an incubation period of 4-14 day after which flu-like symptoms are experienced and tend to disappear in a week. Some infected will develop severe symptoms after a remission of a few days to a couple of weeks. Meningitis, meningoencephalitis or even partial paralysis is seen. With most of those who are infected from this disease, nearly one third are thought to have long term neurological problems with balance, coordination and cognition.
The diagnosing is confirmed by inflammatory changes of cerebral spinal fluid and blood and the detection of IgM and IgA antibodies within the blood. As of now, there is no specific treatment for this disease but there are treatments that focus on ridding the symptoms.
Tick-borne meningoencephalitis typically heals on its own. Only one third of those infected need rehabilitation. Sometimes there are neurological disorders that follow this disease; therefore, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or logopedic therapy may be needed.
Avoiding tick bites is the best type of prevention. Long clothing should be worn in areas of higher risks, such as forests with meadows. For those who spend a lot of time in a high risk area, immunization is recommended.