Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis in different forms

Viral disease, caused by ixodid tick and involving damage to the nervous system (both central and peripheral) is tick-borne encephalitis. Symptoms of the disease depend on its shape, but in untimely treatment, inevitably the development of serious complications, which ultimately leads to paralysis or death.

Ixodes ticks live in areas with a temperate climate in forest zones. Tick-borne encephalitis develops most often after a bite of a taiga tick spread in Asia, or a European forest mite. The disease is characterized by seasonality. Infection occurs in the spring and summer, when the activity of infectious agents is prohibitive. The virus enters the body immediately at the time of bite and subsequent bloodsucking, as well as when consuming milk in raw form obtained from a sick cow.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis

The incubation period can last from one to two weeks. At the initial stages the patient experiences weakness in muscles, a significant increase in temperature, nausea, chills, sleep disturbances. Then the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis are supplemented with hyperemia of the chest, face, neck, pain in the muscles and limbs increases, a feeling of stunning appears, and loss of consciousness may occur. As the disease progresses, the condition becomes close to coma.

Forms of tick-borne encephalitis

In medicine, five forms of the disease are distinguished, for each of them the leading syndrome is characteristic. The feverish form probably has the most favorable course and is characterized by a quick recovery, provided that the victim was inoculated on time. Fever lasts three to five days, accompanied by weakness, nausea, headaches.

Most infectious process occurs in meningeal form. Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis in this case are manifested by severe dizziness, severe headaches, eye damage, vomiting, retardation and lethargy. Such unpleasant phenomena persist throughout the treatment period. A lot of protein is found in the samples of the CSF taken for the study.

The meningoencephalic form of the disease is characterized by an extremely severe course. The patient has hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, delirium, epileptic seizures, loss of spatial orientation. There is a rapid development of paresis, myoclonia, cerebellar syndrome. If tick-borne encephalitis affects vegetative centers, there is accompanied by abundant vomiting with blood a syndrome of gastric bleeding.

It is often enough to diagnose the poliomyelitis form of the disease. Ill people complain of the sudden appearance of weakness in the limbs, a general malaise. Paresis of the neck and shoulders may develop. Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis progress rapidly, and by the end of 2-3 weeks, if not vaccinated in time, there is a development of muscle atrophy.

The latter form of the disease - polyradiculoneuritic - manifests itself in the defeat of nerves and peripheral roots, flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities with the likelihood of spreading them on the trunk and hands, and a sensitivity disorder.

First aid

If there is a suspicion of tick-borne encephalitis, a person is hospitalized in the infectious disease department. The patient is assigned to observe the strictest diet, since the virus causes disruption of the intestines, stomach, and liver. Intramuscularly inject homologous gamma globulin once daily.

Prevention of tick-borne encephalitis

Do not forget about the elementary care when leaving for nature. To protect yourself from tick bites, wear clothes that would cover your legs and hands, be sure to use repellents. The most effective way to protect yourself from the virus is vaccination.