TBE

The disease TBE is referred to in medical terminology as early summer meningoencephalitis. This is an inflammation of the brain and meninges caused by a viral infection which can be transmitted by ticks. Not every tick contains the viruses that cause the disease TBE.

Ticks in more southern regions are mainly infected. However, the infected ticks are increasingly spreading northwards. Every year, approximately 500 people in Germany become ill with TBE.

The numbers are rising. Unlike borreliosis, there is a vaccination against TBE. The complete vaccination protection usually exists after three vaccinations, which must be refreshed every three to five years.

The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection with the virus and the first appearance of symptoms, can last several weeks. In the first stage fever, headache and aching limbs occur. The symptoms are similar to those of summer flu.In the second stage, an inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) leads to high fever, severe headaches and a stiff neck.

Furthermore, it can lead to consciousness and speech disorders, psychological changes or paralysis. The disease cannot be treated with special medication. Therefore, the relief of the symptoms is in the foreground. Nevertheless, the symptoms usually heal without consequences.

What diseases can you get infected with?

In Germany, a tick bite can be used to get infected, especially with pathogens that cause Lyme disease and TBE. About one to twenty percent of the ticks in Germany are infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The pathogens are not transmitted with every tick bite.

The tick transmits the bacteria with a bite via its saliva. The risk of the bacteria being transmitted increases with the duration of the bite. Therefore it is important to remove a tick early.

It should be ensured that the tick is completely removed. Infections occur mainly in the summer months. Statistically, one tick bite in 100 leads to an infection with Lyme disease.

Not every infection causes symptoms. There is currently no vaccination against the disease. About 0.1 to 5% of the ticks in risk areas in Germany carry viruses that cause the disease TBE.

Not every tick bite transmits the virus. The risk of getting infected with the virus increases with the duration of a tick bite, since the virus is transmitted via the saliva of the tick. Therefore it is important to remove a tick completely at an early stage.

Furthermore, symptoms only occur in one third of cases of transmission to humans. A vaccination against the disease FSME is possible. After three vaccinations there is usually complete protection.

Every three to five years the vaccination must be refreshed. Infections with other pathogens are rare in Germany. Especially in other countries, diseases such as babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis (typhus) can be transmitted.