Is FSME contagious?
If a tick is infected with the TBE virus, the virus lives in the tick’s saliva. Through a tick bite, the viruses can then pass into the wound and thus into the blood of the person bitten. However, meningoencephalitis does not always occur.
In two thirds of patients, the immune system can protect the body from the outbreak of the disease. A transmission from person to person is not known. Therefore, one can only be infected with the disease through a tick bite. Contact with an infected patient is not contagious.
Can FSME be fatal?
Yes, in rare cases, TBE can be fatal. The numbers are very different. Ultimately, it is assumed that about 1 percent of those affected do not survive the disease.
It is important to know that there is no causal therapy for TBE. One only treats the corresponding symptoms. In the case of serious courses of the disease with respiratory paralysis and disturbances of consciousness, this must be done in an intensive care unit.
TBE vs. borreliosis – what is the difference?
Actually, Lyme disease and TBE do not have much in common, so you should rather ask yourself what the similarities between TBE and borreliosis are. This question can be answered easily. Both diseases are diseases that can be transmitted to humans by a tick bite.
- While TBE is a viral disease, Lyme disease is not caused by viruses but by bacteria.
- In contrast to TBE, which occurs mainly in southern Germany, one can be infected with Lyme disease throughout Germany.
- The symptoms of the two diseases are also very different. While TBE focuses on an inflammation of the central nervous system, Lyme disease patients usually complain about joint problems. Ultimately, however, the pathogens of Lyme disease can also attack the central nervous system and lead to neurological symptoms.
However, this is rare.
- Another important difference lies in the treatment of the two diseases.Since Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria, patients can be treated with antibiotics. There is no causal therapy for viral TBE.
- Finally, it is important to protect yourself against tick bites in relation to both diseases. The most effective protective measure against TBE is an appropriate vaccination. There is currently no vaccination for borreliosis. The TBE vaccination does not protect against the development of Lyme disease either.
