Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
Overview
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection spread by tick bites. Ticks infected with the virus are found in parts of Europe (including the UK) and Asia. In the UK, the risk of getting TBE is very low.
Symptoms
The virus that causes tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) does not cause symptoms in most people. Some people get flu-like symptoms about a week after being bitten, such as: a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shiverytirednessheadacheaches and painsfeeling sick The symptoms usually go away on their own, but in a few people the infection spreads to the brain and causes more serious symptoms a few days or weeks later. These can include: a stiff neck and a severe headachepain when looking at bright lightsa fit (seizure)a change in behaviour, confusion or slurred speechweakness or loss of movement in part of the body
Treatment
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can be life-threatening if it spreads to your brain. You'll need to be treated in hospital if you're seriously unwell. Treatment may include: medicinefluids, given through a veinventilation, where a machine is used to breathe for yousurgery to drain fluid from the brain (this is rare)
Prevention
To reduce your risk of being bitten by a tick when you're outside: regularly check your clothes and skin for ticks that might be crawling on you and brush them off before they can bite you – wear light coloured clothing so it's easier to spot any tickswalk on clearly defined paths to avoid brushing against plants that may have ticks on themuse an insect repellent such as DEET on your skin – you can also get clothes that contain insect repellentwear long trousers and long-sleeved tops so it's harder for ticks to bite you Ticks can sometimes be very small and hard to spot. They get bigger if they bite you and feed on your blood.