A group of small arachnids close to insects, there are about fifty thousand species of them in the world.
A tick can be distinguished from an ordinary insect by the following features:
Bite symptoms
A tick bite at the time of its occurrence can be completely painless and imperceptible for a person. This is due to the fact that at the time of the bite, an anesthetic substance produced by the tick enters the human skin.
Most often, the victim finds the bite before the tick has time to get drunk. Due to trauma and a bite, a local reaction develops on the skin - hyperemia in the form of a red spot no larger than one centimeter in size.
Signs of mite exposure are expressed two to three hours after the suction process:
- Lethargy, exhaustion.
- Feeling cold.
- Soreness in the joints.
- Sensitivity to light.
The severity of symptoms depends on several signs:
- The number of mites on the surface of the skin.
- Immunity of the human body affected by the tick.
For example, in older people who suffer from chronic diseases and are prone to frequent allergies, the signs will appear much brighter than in an adult healthy man.
The first manifestations of a bite:
- An increase in body temperature by 1-2 degrees, while the pressure, on the contrary, decreases;
- Increased heart rate more than 60 beats per minute;
- Changes in the size of the lymph nodes;
- Irritation skin.
In addition to the primary signs, the human body exhibits additional protective functions in the form of:
- Sharp pains in the head.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- hallucinations.
- Feelings of nausea and vomiting.
First bite action
For you can use medical tweezers, or a loop made with thread. If there is swelling and redness at the site of the bite, or even more itching, this indicates the development of an allergic reaction.
In this case, the victim needs to be given an anti-allergy drug tablet, for this they will do:
- Suprastin.
- Diazolin.
- Tavegil and other drugs.
Proper removal
The head remaining in the thickness of the skin will look like a black dot, and to remove it you need to use a sterile needle, preferably from a syringe, as it will immediately be sterile, or ignite an ordinary needle on fire.
The bite site must be wiped with an alcohol swab and the head removed like a splinter by picking it up with a needle. At the end of all manipulations, the bite site is treated with alcohol or iodine. Bandages are not needed.
Must be kept in mind! Despite popular belief, do not pour on a tick vegetable oil, ointments, alcohol, or something else. In order for the tick to suffocate and fall off on its own.
The risk of developing the disease with this technique will increase several times, due to the release of saliva, the source of infection, by a suffocating tick. In addition, this method takes much more time, and the tick after oily liquids will be unsuitable for laboratory analysis.
Which doctor to go to
There are several options for going to the doctors:
Tick bites are handled by an infectious disease specialist. If you have difficulty finding such a doctor, you can call an ambulance and ask which specialist can help in such a situation.
Necessary treatment
If no infections are found in the human body, the wound is treated, antihistamines are prescribed if there is an allergy, and they are allowed to go home. But if infections have been identified, treatment is prescribed, depending on the type of infection.
- Method of treatment for:
- The patient is put on bed rest and admitted to the hospital.
- Antibiotics in the case of encephalitis are not used, because their action is aimed at combating microbes, encephalitis is an infection of viral etiology.
- In the first hours after detection, an immunoglobulin against tick-borne encephalitis is prescribed. This drug is quite expensive, but effective. It is prepared on the basis of the blood of donors who have immunity to this disease.
- In addition, prescribe drugs that stimulate the immune system and antiviral medicines, Anaferon is well suited.
- Corticosteroids (prednisolone) and blood substitutes (hemodez) are prescribed.
- Vitamins and a nutritious diet are prescribed.
- Method of treatment for:
- In the presence of nervous phenomena, the victim is placed in the hospital.
- At the stage of hyperemia - antibiotics of the tetracycline group and bacteriostatics (levomycetin) are prescribed, which will not allow further development illness.
- Neurological syndrome is relieved by drip infusions through a vein of stronger antibiotics of the cephalosporin series.
- Restore the balance of water in the body with the help of blood substitutes and saline.
- Corticosteroids (prednisolone) are prescribed.
- Drugs that restore blood circulation in the brain.
- Vitamins.
Preventive measures
When going for a walk in the forest, you need to give preference light colors clothes and follow a few rules:
- The head must be covered with a scarf.
- As shoes, choose rubber boots and tuck trousers into them.
- The sleeves of the clothes should be long and tight, as well as the collar.
- After the walk, you need to examine each other for the presence of attached ticks.
Use for prevention protective equipment, which according to their actions are divided into three types:
The most reliable prevention is vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Vaccinations protect a person by almost 100%, due to the production of protective antibodies in the body. Vaccination is carried out in advance, in autumn or winter, so that antibodies have time to develop by the season of tick activity.
Compliance with all preventive measures will help to avoid tick bites and the development of terrible infections.
What ticks are dangerous to people? Most of them do not pose any danger to people, only the ixodid is able to carry infections, but in appearance it is difficult to distinguish it from the rest of these arachnids.
But in our country there are areas in which the tick carries several very dangerous diseases, such as:
- Tick-borne encephalitis is the worst infection carried by ticks.
- Borreliosis.
- typhus and relapsing fever.
- Anaplasmosis.
- Tularemia.
- Erlichiosis.
Tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis are most common in our country.
FAQ
How to distinguish the tick of the carrier of the infection?
Outwardly, ticks - carriers of infection are no different from ordinary ones. To determine the presence of an infection, send an individual to the laboratory for appropriate research.
The tick was removed, in the place where it was, redness appeared almost immediately. What does this mean?
In this example, the bite is more likely to be allergic. Every day, look at the affected skin, if the spot grows or the appearance of pain, go to the doctor.
Our area is unsafe for tick-borne infections. Yesterday I was bitten, I removed it and sent it for research. Today they reported that they found the causative agent of encephalitis, and I need a medicine - iodantipyrin. What else should I take? I'm worried about my health.
You don't need to worry too much. In this case, the disease does not always develop. Yodantipyrin, like globulin, is suitable for urgent infection prevention. Don't be nervous, don't let sudden changes temperature for the body and complex loads.
I was bitten, but I did not take the tick to the laboratory, and now I'm nervous that it was contagious. When can blood be tested for infection?
Blood is examined only ten days after the bite.
I've been bitten by a tick, but I'm pregnant. What should I do?
Pregnancy is a contraindication for globulin. The doctor may prescribe it under special supervision over the expectant mother when it is urgently needed. But many specialists limit themselves to health monitoring, because the risk of developing encephalitis is low.
A tick bit my one year old son. How to be?
The child is shown immunoglobulin or children's anaferon.
I found a biting tick on me, but I was vaccinated. Do I need treatment?
No, it's not necessary. Immunity in your body has already developed.
Each of you has heard or even encountered such a dangerous arachnid as a tick. It sticks to human skin and can infect the body with serious infections. What medicines should be taken after a tick bite to prevent or treat diseases?
Fundamentals of drug use
It is impossible to say exactly which pills to drink after a tick bite, as their doctors prescribe them to patients individually, depending on the detected infection and general health. And before prescribing something, they must do it for the presence of antibodies, but not earlier than ten days after the bite.
When a person is bitten by a non-contagious tick, it is not dangerous. Taking any medication after an insect bite in this case is not required, but when the tick turns out to be a carrier of infections, individual therapy will be required using effective medical preparations. , you need to rush to the doctor without delay. Delay can be very costly.
In most cases, doctors prescribe specific immunotherapy. Immunoglobulin is injected into the body, which stops the spread of infection. As for antibiotic drugs, they are not prescribed very often after a tick bite when infectious diseases are detected.
Diseases caused by simple microorganisms are treated with pills that suppress their subsequent reproduction. Borreliosis and encephalitis are the most common diseases that require long-term treatment. The therapy restores the functions of the brain, nervous and circulatory systems. These serious diseases require hospitalization and inpatient treatment with effective drugs.
What medicines should be taken after a tick bite for preventive purposes? This requires immunostimulants and antiviral agents that activate immune defenses. Drugs based on ribonuclease and interferon are well suited. Additionally, it is recommended to take a complex of vitamins from a pharmacy.
Medicines for tick-borne encephalitis
Let's start with what pills to take after a tick bite with encephalitis? In this case, the treatment is carried out in a hospital, especially during a fever. In the first three days of therapy, the patient is prescribed immunoglobulin and blood substitutes, Ribonuclease and Prednisol.
If meningitis begins to develop, doctors prescribe high doses of vitamin C. During the regeneration period, tranquilizers, steroid drugs and nootropics are needed. Antibiotic tablets after a tick bite are prescribed if the disease gives a complication to the kidneys or others. internal organs.
Treatment of borreliosis
What tablets after a tick bite are needed for children and adults in case of borreliosis? First of all, the victim is hospitalized and complex therapy is started, which is aimed at regenerating the affected systems and organs. Adults and children after 8 years of age are prescribed prophylaxis with Doxycycline according to an individual dosage determined by a doctor.
It is better to start treatment at the first stage of the disease. Antibiotic pills can be prescribed, and in moderate and severe forms, the heart and nervous system is affected, so doctors prescribe cephalosporin drugs:
- Cefoperazone;
- Ceftriaxone;
- Cefobid.
Also good results are given by benzylpenicillin administered intramuscularly or intravenously. When drugs after a tick bite are not suitable, an allergy may develop. In this case, doctors additionally prescribe Clarithromycin or Levomycetin to the patient, and sometimes they also prescribe Sumamed or Erythromycin.
The head of the tick is covered with a black chitinous shell, and the torso is brown and rounded.
What should I do if bitten by a tick
If, nevertheless, you tore off the torso from the head of the tick, do not panic, you can pull it out with a regular needle, as is done when a splinter gets into your finger.
- Tick-borne borreliosis or Lyme disease;
- Tick-borne encephalitis;
- tick-borne typhus;
- hemorrhagic fever;
- Erlichiosis.
How to protect yourself from ticks
These preparations are on sale in many large supermarkets and in specialized shops.
Popular tick repellants:
- Biban;
- Off! Extreme;
- Defi-Taiga;
- Raftamide maximum;
- Data-VOKKO;
- Medilis from mosquitoes.
For children:
- Biban gel;
- Camarant;
- Evital;
- Off-children.
Popular drugs with acaricidal action:
- Reftamid taiga;
- Gardex anti-tick;
- Tornado-anti-tick;
- Pretix;
Popular means of this group:
- Tick-kaput;
- Mosquitol-Spray;
- Gardex extreme.
People who, by their profession or for other reasons, long time carried out in the habitats of ticks, vaccinated against common diseases. These professions include foresters, surveyors, geologists and others. Even children older than one year old can be vaccinated, but many vaccines are designed for older children.
Diseases carried by ticks
Ticks can cause various diseases by transferring infected blood from one animal to another, some diseases can be transmitted to humans, so let's look at the most common diseases when a tick becomes their cause.
Tick-borne borreliosis or Lyme disease
An infectious disease transmitted by ticks can become chronic, and relapses are often observed. Lyme disease affects the nervous system, heart, and musculoskeletal system.
The causative agents of the disease are spirochetes of the genus Borrelia. This disease is found throughout the world, except in very cold regions where ticks do not live.
When a tick bites its prey, it injects saliva into the skin, through which the infection enters the victim's body, after which it multiplies for several days and begins to affect the internal organs (joints, heart, nervous system, and others). The infection can persist in the human body for years and cause a chronic disease with relapses. Incubation period The virus lasts up to a month, during this period there may be no symptoms.
Signs of the disease are redness on the skin at the site of a tick bite, it turns red and increases in diameter, after which cyanosis appears in the middle, and its rim becomes embossed. After 2-3 weeks, the stain disappears even without treatment, and 1.5 months after the disease, symptoms of damage appear. nervous system, heart and joints.
Treatment takes place in a hospital under the supervision of doctors; various immunostimulating and anti-infective drugs are used for treatment.
Tick-borne encephalitis
The cause of this disease is often ixodid ticks living in forests and steppes. Also, tick-borne encephalitis can be contracted from goat and cow's milk.
2-3 weeks after infection, the virus infects the gray matter in the brain, neurons in the spinal cord. The patient may experience convulsions, decreased skin sensitivity, paralysis of individual muscles. When the virus enters the brain, the following symptoms appear: headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness. If the disease continues to progress, disorders in the cardiovascular system appear.
In the early stages of the disease, immunoglobulin is used, which contains cells that destroy the infection; in advanced stages, anti-infective drugs are used.
Tick-borne typhus (typhus)
Infectious disease caused by tick bites is a relatively mild disease that affects the lymph nodes and causes a skin rash. The first symptoms of the disease may appear only after 3-7 days after the bite.
Symptoms of the disease are fever of 39 or more, headaches and muscle pain, skin rash, small papules, swollen lymph nodes, sleep disturbance and other symptoms associated with damage to the nervous system.
Antibiotics of the tetracycline group are used to treat the disease.
(Lyme disease), ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and a number of other diseases transmitted by ticks.
Every year, up to 400 thousand Russians turn to medical institutions for tick bites, a quarter of the victims are children under 14 years old. It is not known how many tick bites citizens of our country receive during foreign trips.
The maximum number of suctions is recorded in the Siberian, Volga and Ural federal districts, the minimum - in the South and North Caucasus.
The attack of ticks is characterized by seasonality. The first cases of bites - early spring at average daily temperature soils above 0.3 0 C, the latter - deep autumn. The maximum number of tick bites falls on the period from mid-spring to the first half of summer.
Not all ticks are carriers of infections. Free from pathogens on average in the regions of Russia are up to 80-90% of ticks.
However, the attack of sterile ticks (not carriers of infections) is also dangerous for humans! Mass suction is accompanied by sensitization (allergic reactions) of the body.
Ticks are potential carriers of one, and sometimes several types of microbes and viruses at once. Accordingly, the carriage of one pathogen is a mono-carrier, and two or more pathogens is a mixed carrier. In regions with high density tick populations are carriers of:
mono-infections - in 10-20% of cases;
mixed infections - in 7-15% of cases.
The tick is attached to the human body with the help of a hypostome. This unpaired outgrowth performs the functions of a sensory organ, attachment and bloodsucking. The most likely place for a tick to stick to a person from the bottom up:
groin area;
abdomen and lower back;
chest, armpits, neck;
ear area.
During a bite, under the action of tick saliva and microtrauma, inflammation and a local allergic reaction develop on the skin. The suction site is painless, manifested by reddening of a rounded shape.
The site of a tick bite in Lyme disease (borreliosis) looks characteristic - in the form of a specific patchy erythema, which increases to 10-20 cm in diameter (sometimes up to 60 cm). The shape of the spot is round, oval, sometimes irregular. After some time, an elevated outer border of intense red color forms along the contour. The center of erythema becomes cyanotic or White color. The next day, the spot looks like a donut, a crust and a scar are formed. After two weeks, the scar disappears without a trace.
Signs and symptoms of a tick bite in humans
A tick bite is not accompanied by pain in humans. A sucked tick is able to go unnoticed for a long time.
Signs of a tick bite appear after two to three hours:
aches in the joints;
photophobia.
weakness, drowsiness;
The intensity of bite signs depends on:
the number of sucked mites;
individual characteristics of the human body to which the tick has stuck.
Strong manifestation of bite signs should be expected in the elderly, children, those with a history of chronic diseases, allergies and immunodeficiencies.
The first symptoms of a tick bite:
hyperthermia up to 37-38 0 C. against the background of a decrease in and;
tachycardia (more than 60 beats per minute);
difficult, hoarse breathing;
nervous reactions in the form of hallucinations, etc.
Temperature after a tick bite
An increase in temperature in the first hours after a bite is a sign of the development of allergic reactions to the saliva of a sterile or infected tick.
After a tick bite, body temperature must be recorded daily for ten days! Fever, diagnosed 2-10 days after the bite, is one of the signs of the onset of infectious pathogenesis.
Features of fever in major infections transmitted by ticks:
cardiovascular system - blood pressure jumps;
Bad outcome:
Persistent organic syndrome with a significant decrease in the quality of life in the form of a defect in motor functions without progression of symptoms;
A persistent decrease in the quality of life with the progression of symptoms (continuous progression, abortive - recurrent).
Contribute to the progression of symptoms: alcohol, overwork, pregnancy. Long-term persistent changes in the form of epilepsy, hyperkinesis - a reason for determining III, II, I disability groups.
Disability is determined by a special medical commission:
Disability III group: moderate paresis of the limbs, rare epileptic seizures, loss of labor skills, a significant decrease in professional qualifications;
Disability II group: pronounced paresis, hemiparesis in combination with epileptic seizures, a pronounced change in the psyche, severe asthenia, loss of labor activity and the ability to self-service;
Disability group I: severe motor disorders, frequent Kozhevnikov epilepsy (a type of epilepsy), widespread hyperkinesis in combination with epilepsy, dementia (acquired dementia), persistent loss of the ability to self-service and self-control of behavior, inability to move without assistance.
Diseases transmitted by ticks include viral, microbial (including rickettsial) and protozoan infections. Such diseases are diagnosed on almost all continents of the globe.
Human viral infections transmitted by ticks:
Tick-borne encephalitis (territory of Russia, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, Baltic countries, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, Korea, others);
Tick-borne hemorrhagic fevers (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (South of Russia, China, Serbia, Bulgaria, countries Central Asia, Congo, Kenya), Omsk hemorrhagic fever (Omsk, Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Kurgan, Orenburg regions);
Rare tick-borne fevers (Lipovnik fever ( European countries), Kemerovo fever (Kemerovo region).
Human microbial infections transmitted by ticks:
Borreliosis (everywhere in Russia, Eastern Europe);
Erlichiosis (Russia, Eastern and Western Europe, USA, Japan, China);
Anaplasmosis (Russia, Europe, North America, China).
Microbial (rickettsial) human infections transmitted by ticks:
Marseille fever (southern Europe, South Africa, Asia, in areas with a humid hot climate, Crimea, Dagestan, the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea);
Astrakhan spotted fever (Astrakhan, Volgograd regions, Republic of Kalmykia, western Kazakhstan);
Tick-borne typhus of North Asia (Siberia, Khabarovsk, Primorsky Krai, Northern and Eastern Kazakhstan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Mongolian People's Republic);
Tick-borne typhus of northern Australia (Queensland);
Smallpox rickettsiosis (found in Central Africa, Southern Europe, USA);
Tsutsugamushi fever (Primorsky Krai, Kuriles, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China);
Q fever (Regions of the Volga region, Western Siberia, Central Black Earth, India, USA, France, Canada, Tunisia, Mali, Morocco, Western Ukraine, Spain, other countries);
Tick-borne paroxysmal rickettsiosis (previously in Western Ukraine, there is currently no data on the distribution).
Human protozoan infection transmitted by ticks:
Human babesiosis (Scandinavia, France, Germany, Yugoslavia, Poland, Russia, US East Coast).
The first step is to remove the stuck tick. A live tick must be stored/transported at ambient temperature, a dead (crushed) tick must be kept in a thermal container with ice.
Research on tick infestation is carried out in the laboratories of Rospotrebnadzor (they are accredited and certified for these tests). In some regions, research is carried out by other laboratories, their addresses and phone numbers can be found on the Internet.
Antibiotics for a tick bite
Antibiotics are not always used to suppress pathogens transmitted by ticks.
In the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis (pathogen virus), antibiotics are not used.
Principles of treatment of a patient with tick-borne encephalitis:
Bed rest in a hospital for the entire period of fever and seven days after its end;
In the first three days - human immunoglobulin against tick-borne encephalitis;
Shown are prednisolone, ribonuclease, blood substitutes - reopoliglyukin, polyglucin, gemodez;
With meningitis - increased doses of B vitamins, ascorbic acid;
With respiratory failure - intensive ventilation of the lungs (IVL);
In the recovery period - anabolic steroids, nootropic drugs, tranquilizers.
Depending on the form of tick-borne encephalitis, an antibiotic may be prescribed as an auxiliary drug to suppress the microflora that caused complications in the lungs, intestines, kidneys and other organs. The type of antibiotic is selected by the doctor, based on the sensitivity of microorganisms to it.
In the treatment of borreliosis (Lyme disease), antibiotics are required! They are used to suppress pathogens. Lyme borreliosis is caused by a microorganism from the group of spirochetes.
Principles of treatment of patients with borreliosis:
Hospitalization is mandatory for neurological disorders;
At the stage of erythema (redness), tetracycline and drugs of its group are prescribed. Bacteriostatics (this group includes lincomycin, chloramphenicol, macrolides) prevent the development of later stages of the disease;
Neurological syndrome is helped to stop intravenous injections of bactericidal antibiotics of the cephalosporin and penicillin series. The group of bactericidal antibiotics also includes aminoglycosides and polymyxins;
Restoration of water balance - blood substitutes, physiological solutions, prednisone, vitamins, drugs that normalize cerebral circulation, anabolic hormones.
As a means of etiotropic therapy in the treatment of tick-borne infections:
viral nature (see the list above), antibiotics are not used to suppress the virus, instead they use the method of specific immunotherapy;
bacterial nature (list see above) antibiotics are used;
protozoan nature (see the list above) use drugs that inhibit the growth and reproduction of protozoan microorganisms.
First aid for a tick bite
The victim must be helped to remove the tick, place it in a sealed container and sign the label accompanying the biomaterial sample.
The suction of a tick provokes an allergic response of the body, sometimes in the form.
Signs of Quincke's edema develop within a few minutes or hours in the form of:
Eyelids, lips and other parts of the face;
muscle pain;
difficult breathing.
This is a very dangerous manifestation of an allergic reaction, you should immediately call an ambulance and try to help the victim before the doctors arrive.
At home, you can do the following:
give one of (claritin, suprastin, erius, telfast, zyrtec and others);
provide access to fresh air;
introduce prednisolone (dexamethasone) at a dose of 60 mg intramuscularly.
Diagnostic and therapeutic measures for possible infections are carried out in medical institutions.
Where to go for a tick bite?
It is necessary to perform the following algorithm of actions:
remove the stuck tick;
take it to an accredited laboratory for the detection of infectious agents PCR method(how to find out the address, see below);
donate blood (if necessary) to detect antibodies to ELISA in human serum (details below).
undergo a course of treatment according to the results of laboratory tests and clinical indications.
1. Remove the stuck tick
The suction of the tick occurs after fixing it on the human body. This process takes from several minutes to several hours. Absorption of blood lasts from two hours to several days. Suction is imperceptible to humans, and a tick that has already drunk blood has round shape and gray color.
A sucked tick must be removed urgently, but very carefully! It is necessary to protect his abdomen from damage and leakage of hemolymph and human blood. Hands and the wound at the site of the bite should be treated with an alcohol-containing solution (vodka, cologne, alcohol solution of iodine or brilliant green).
Removing a tick with improvised means:
Throw a thread in the form of a loop around the proboscis (close to the skin), tighten and slowly pull it out with swinging movements. Instead of threads, you can use nails, two matches and other suitable items.
Put the tick inside plastic bag, tie the neck.
Sign the label for the package (indicate the date, time, place of detection, full name of the person from whom the tick was removed, contacts for obtaining information about tick infestation).
Removing a tick with a special tool:
Use medical (manicure) tweezers or devices (Tick Twister, Tick Nipper, Pro tick remedy, Trix, Tricked off, others);
Place the tick in an airtight container (medicine bottle, for example);
Sign the label on the container (see above).
You cannot remove the tick on your own - contact the nearest emergency room, emergency department of a medical institution, surgical clinic, polyclinic. The list of institutions that work around the clock and provide emergency assistance in case of a tick bite can be found on the website of the territorial department of Rospotrebnadzor for the corresponding region.
2. Take the tick to an accredited laboratory
Analyzes are carried out free of charge, but it is imperative to clarify this information. PCR study based on ready-made diagnostic kits AmpliSense TBEV (encephalitis, borreliosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis), distributor of InterLabService LLC. We need to know when the results will be ready. Usually the same day or next morning.
3. Donate blood to detect antibodies
Within 10 days after the bite of a tick, on the recommendation of a doctor, it is sometimes necessary to donate blood to detect antibodies in humans to infections transmitted by ticks. For diagnostics, the test system "VektoVKE-IgG-strip" of CJSC "Vector-Best" is used. Analysis time: 2 hours 30 minutes.
When donating blood, be sure to indicate the date of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (if any). The presence of vaccine antibodies gives false positive results. The information provided will reduce the time to determine the diagnosis and increase its accuracy.
According to the results of research on the tick by PCR and / or blood serum for ELISA, based on the doctor's recommendations, specific immunotherapy is carried out.
The introduction of human immunoglobulin against tick-borne encephalitis is paid!
Gamma globulin is administered free of charge to certain categories of citizens and on the basis of a VHI policy under the tick-borne encephalitis treatment program (be sure to contact the medical institution specified in the contract within 4 days after the bite).
The time during which specific treatment is possible, the period, the frequency of administration of globulin should be found out from the attending physician. The address of the point of medical care for encephalitis is indicated:
in the VHI policy;
on the stand in the laboratory.
The likelihood of a tick attack on a person depends on:
epidemiological well-being of the territory of residence;
profession associated with frequent stay in the forest, field;
the likelihood of visiting places that are unfavorable in terms of tick-borne infections.
Prevention of the consequences associated with a tick bite is based on:
vaccination, but this is a preventive measure; when a person is infected, it cannot be used;
specific immunotherapy is a therapeutic measure (administration of immunoglobulin only in case of infection or suspected infection after a bite);
health insurance to pay for possible treatment;
the use of special clothing and devices to prevent ticks from getting on the body;
the use of repellents, the destruction of ticks;
limiting the number of ticks in biotopes, places where people are likely to be.
Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of disease, it is shown to all people living in disadvantaged regions, and to persons professionally associated with the forest (drillers, geologists, surveyors, foresters). If desired, the vaccination can be given to anyone who is interested in it, in the absence of contraindications.
Primary vaccination is possible from the first year of a child's life, and then at any age. Adults can be vaccinated with domestic and imported drugs, children are better with imported ones. Six variants of vaccines from four manufacturers from Russia, Germany and Switzerland are available in Russia.
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccines produced in Russia:
The concentrated inactivated vaccine is indicated for use from three years and older;
Encevir (EnceVir), Russia, shown from the age of eighteen and older.
Vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis produced in Switzerland:
FSME-Immun Junior (FSME-Immun Junior), shown from one year to sixteen years;
FSM-Immun Inject (FSME-Immun Inject), indications are similar.
Vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis produced in Germany:
Encepur Children, shown from twelve months to eleven years;
Encepur adult (Encepur adult), shown from twelve years and older.
Two vaccination schemes: prophylactic and emergency:
Preventive vaccination provides protection against ticks during the first year, and after revaccination - for three years. Re-vaccinations are carried out every three years.
Emergency vaccination provides a short protective effect. Indication - urgent trips to regions unfavorable for encephalitis.
Vaccination is carried out after a preliminary survey of the patient for allergic reactions, clinical examination, thermometry. Persons with health problems are not allowed to be vaccinated. There are contraindications and restrictions.
In Russia, "Human Immunoglobulin Against Tick-Borne Encephalitis" is produced, produced by the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO "Microgen". The drug contains ready-made antibodies to viral encephalitis. It is administered intramuscularly for the purpose of treatment, usually after infection or at the risk of infection. Doses and frequency of administration can be obtained from your doctor.
Recommendations for insurance of costs associated with the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis
It is advisable to recommend insurance as an addition to vaccination or as the only measure in case of impossibility of vaccination. Insurance against tick-borne encephalitis is carried out as part of VHI - voluntary medical insurance. The payments are intended to compensate for the costly treatment of tick-borne encephalitis and other similar infections. When choosing an insurance program and an insurance company, you need to pay attention to:
availability of the insured permits for the execution of VMI;
the cost of VHI services and the reputation of the insured;
availability of documents for the right to provide medical and preventive care or an agreement with a person authorized to provide such assistance on behalf of the insured;
Availability of a 24-hour free telephone line for emergency advice.
Going to the forest or out of town, choose the right clothes in light colors:
anti-encephalitis suit;
a jacket (shirt) with long sleeves and cuffs and trousers tucked into socks;
a hood that fits snugly to the head and protects the neck.
Every hour you need to inspect clothes from the bottom up for ticks. It is recommended to inspect the body every two hours, primarily the armpits, neck, groin, chest and head. Avoid or minimize exposure to tall grass at the edge of the forest, along the paths.
Available for sale various fixtures to prevent ticks from getting on the body in the form of insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets, special shoes, clothes and so on.
Recommendations for the use of means for repelling and exterminating ticks
For these purposes, you can use repellents and acaricides.
Repellents repel ticks and insects - these products are suitable for application to exposed parts of the body and clothing. Active substance- DEET (diethyltoluamide).
Preparative forms of repellents:
Ultraton (Ultraton) USA - lotion, aerosol;
Biban (Czech Republic) - aerosol;
DEFI-Taiga - solution, pencil, lotion, emulsion, aerosol, balm, cream, gel;
Off extreme - aerosol;
Gall-RET - aerosol;
Raptor - aerosol;
DETA-prof - aerosol;
Breeze-antiklesch - aerosol.
Acaricides (destroy ticks) - have only a contact effect. They should be used exclusively for processing the fabric of outerwear and anti-mite treatment of territories and premises! Modern acaricides are made on the basis of permethrin and alphacypermethrin:
Raftamid-taiga is an aerosol that can be used to treat an anti-encephalitis suit, dry it and wear it over underwear with long sleeves and pants. Acaricidal action lasts up to 10-15 days;
Picnic Antiklesch - aerosol, apply the same way;
Tetrix (concentrate) - a liquid suitable for processing cabins, produced in 0.25 l bottles and 1 l and 5 l canisters;
Recommendations for the destruction of ticks in biotopes and places where people are likely to be
To prevent the spread of ticks, you should regularly:
mow the grass on the site (ticks guard the victim in the grass, usually at a height of 0.6 m, maximum height- 1.5 meters; in a hungry state, ticks live from two to four years, according to some sources up to seven years; development from an egg to an adult - an adult takes two to three years or more);
clean shrubs, remove fallen leaves (mites lose their own moisture in the sun, and restore balance in wet shelters);
These differences in performance are due to the fact that different situations the danger of a tick bite is not the same. For example, in regions endemic for tick-borne encephalitis or Lyme borreliosis, people should do everything possible to minimize the risk of severe consequences from contracting the infection. Sometimes it can be quite troublesome, but any time spent in this case is justified.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is considered the most formidable disease, since it leads to the development of disability (usually associated with mental disorders) and deaths much more often than all others. In addition, the causative agent of CE is viral infection, against which there are currently no specific drugs and which, because of this, is more difficult to treat.
Lyme borreliosis is known for its high prevalence throughout the world. If the rules of diagnosis and treatment are violated, it can also lead to disability and death, but with the right approach to combating it, it is treated quickly and successfully.
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Other tick-borne infections (at least in Eurasia) are much rarer, and cases deaths during their development are rare. On the one hand, due to this, they are considered less significant, on the other hand, it is precisely in the fact that they are given less importance, and their insidiousness lies. They rarely see doctors on time, more often medical errors resulting in a severe course of these diseases and, as a result, complications.
It is important to understand that in some cases, from the consequences of a tick bite, a person can die or become permanently disabled, and in almost any region, even one in which tick-borne encephalitis is not noted - from the same borreliosis, for example. The chances of not getting infected at all or easily transferring the disease are high, however, even a small probability of a threat to life justifies the rather troublesome measures that must be taken after a tick bite.
The first step is the immediate removal of the tick.
It must be understood that if the tick has not yet stuck, but is found only crawling over the body in search of a place of attachment, then it can simply be brushed off. It is not dangerous and is not fraught with infection. The danger is precisely the bite of the tick, that is, when the integrity of the human skin is violated, followed by bloodsucking.
However, in practice, it is impossible to understand whether the tick has already managed to secrete infected saliva into the wound, and it is pointless to make any guesses in such a situation. Therefore, it is recommended to assume that if the tick has already pierced the skin, then it could well transmit the infection.
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The photographs below show a tick's proboscis, dotted with notches:
Actually, this is exactly what experienced tourists, fishermen and hunters do. Seeing a sucking tick, an experienced person immediately grabs it with his nails under the body, right next to the skin, and pulls it out. If at the same time the head remains in the skin, then it is immediately removed with a needle, like a splinter.
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The actual removal of the tick occurs as follows:
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If there are no devices at hand at all, then you can grab the bloodsucker with your nails under the torso, try to squeeze the head (without squeezing the body itself), make rotational movements in one direction and the other to loosen the grip of the proboscis, and then smoothly pull it out of the skin.
What not to do when removing a tick:
If, nevertheless, during the extraction, the mouth organs of the bloodsucker remained in the skin (they look like a small black dot in the center of the wound), it is quite easy to remove them with a simple needle or nail scissors - just like a splinter is removed.
After removing the tick from the skin further actions are built taking into account the risk of tick-borne infection:
First of all, the risk of infection with tick-borne encephalitis is taken into account. The study of a tick for infection with its borreliosis is not always carried out (although it is useful to do this) - emergency prevention of borreliosis is not carried out, and the disease itself, if it develops, is relatively easy to treat (it is only important to monitor your well-being in order to recognize the alarming symptoms in time, which will be discussed a little below).
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It is possible to hand over a tick for analysis of infection with its causative agents of borreliosis for complacency - if the pathogen is not detected, then there will be no reason for concern.
The next step is competent disinfection of the wound.
Immediately after removing the tick, the bite site must be treated with an antiseptic solution - for example, an alcoholic solution of iodine, "brilliant green", hydrogen peroxide, miramistin or chlorhesidin (in extreme cases, just alcohol or vodka). This will not prevent tick-borne infection, but it will protect against secondary infection by bacteria that may be on the skin and enter the wound.
It is not necessary to apply bandages and seal the bite with a plaster. The wound almost never bleeds, but it can be very itchy and itchy. If the tick has had time to get enough, unhook and crawl away on its own, the wound in the form of a dot at the site of the skin puncture will have a characteristic appearance, which will make it easy to distinguish a tick bite, for example, from a mosquito bite.
You should not try to squeeze ichor or blood out of the wound - this will not help to remove the infection if it got there, but will only contribute to the accelerated spread of pathogens to nearby tissues. Also, do not cauterize the bite or pick it open to pour the antiseptic inside.
If a red spot appears at the site of the bite, which is very painful or itchy, painkillers are usually used (Menovazan, Lidocaine, Fenistil-gel). When a rash and signs of allergy appear, the skin is treated with Advantan, Suprastin is given to the victim (in rare cases, hospitalization may be required, especially if the child has signs of urticaria).
Thus, first aid for a tick bite does not involve taking any powerful antiviral agents or antibiotics. After PMP, no special care is required for the wound: you can wash yourself, you can wet the bite site with water and keep it in the sun - this will not have any effect on the condition of the victim.
Tick analysis for infection
It may be advisable to test a tick for infection, if only in order to completely remove concerns about the risk of infection in the event of a negative result. However, even if the tick was infected, this does not mean at all that the bitten person will certainly get sick - that is, a positive test result is not a basis for starting treatment.
Tick analysis for infection with the tick-borne encephalitis virus is carried out in microbiological laboratories at various hospitals and clinics, as well as in commercial laboratories. In each city, in the help desk or by calling the ambulance number, you can find out the address of such a laboratory.
The study of a tick usually lasts 2-3 days and costs about 500-700 rubles. The analysis is carried out if the tick was delivered for testing no later than the third day after the bite.
Before analysis, the tick does not need to be frozen, alcoholized and tried to be fed with something. It is enough to place it in a hermetically sealed container with a piece of damp cotton wool.
Moreover, if the bite occurred in an endemic region, and the medical facility has drugs for emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis, then the victim will most likely be given it right away - in case the tick still turns out to be encephalitic.
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By introducing immunoglobulin, it is effective only in the first 4 days after the bite. After this time, the procedure no longer makes sense.
If the tick, according to the results of the study, turned out to be a carrier of the tick-borne encephalitis virus, then it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the victim for at least a month. In addition, 2 weeks after the bite, blood should be taken to determine antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus. It is pointless to take tests earlier than 10 days, since the result will certainly be negative (antibodies will not yet have time to form in sufficient concentration).
Emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis
Emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis consists in the introduction into the body of the victim of serum with antibodies to the virus-causative agent of the disease. These antibodies (immunoglobulins, otherwise gamma globulins) bind viral particles and prevent them from spreading and replicating in the body. If such prophylaxis is carried out before the start of active reproduction of viruses, then the disease will not develop.
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However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of such preventive measures has not been proven by the methods of modern evidence-based medicine in the West. Accordingly, neither in Europe nor in the USA such TBE prophylaxis is carried out. In Russia, immunoglobulin preparations against tick-borne encephalitis are considered effective, and the method of emergency prophylaxis is used in all regions endemic for this disease.
The main requirement for such prevention is to carry it out in the first 4 days after the bite. It is believed that in the first 2 days its effectiveness is maximum, on the 3rd-4th day it is already much lower, and starting from the 5th day it is pointless to do it.
All preparations of immunoglobulins for emergency prophylaxis of TBE are produced in Russia, the most common serum is produced by Microgen. Its packaging costs approximately 6500-7000 rubles for 10 ampoules of 1 ml. The amount of the drug is calculated according to the body weight of a person: for every 10 kg of body weight, 1 ml of the drug. Accordingly, it is possible to calculate the approximate cost of an injection (the procedures themselves, excluding the cost of immunoglobulin, are either free in polyclinics or cost symbolic money).
Injections of immunoglobulin against TBE are not carried out during pregnancy and lactation.
A few words about the means for self-prevention of tick-borne encephalitis
Contrary to popular belief, self-prevention of tick-borne encephalitis with pills or traditional medicine after a bite is impossible. This is due to the fact that there are no effective means for such protection today, and those that are commercially available are either dummies or drugs with unproven effectiveness.
An example of a useless drug is Anaferon, a well-known homeopathic remedy that does not contain components that could somehow affect the development of an infection.
Drugs with unproven efficacy are Jodantipyrine and Remantadine. Their ability to suppress the development of tick-borne encephalitis has not been confirmed by evidence-based medicine (which, however, does not prevent a large number doctors prescribe these drugs as preventive).
Other drugs marketed as antiviral or immunomodulating (for example, Reaferon-Lipint, Cycloferon) also do not have any effect on the development of the disease.
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Similarly, independent prevention of borreliosis is not carried out. Borreliosis itself is successfully treated with relatively inexpensive, accessible and safe antibiotics (the first-line drug of choice is doxycycline). Theoretically, prophylaxis could also be carried out with antibiotics, but in practice, their use would be required for almost all those bitten due to the wide range of Borrelia themselves, despite the fact that the actual frequency of infections is low and approximately comparable to the frequency side effects from the antibiotic itself. In other words, it is easier and safer not to carry out drug prophylaxis, but to treat borreliosis itself already during its development (which is revealed by the results of a blood test for borreliosis).
Monitoring the condition of the victim after a bite: what to look for
Regardless of the fact of carrying out emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis, as well as on the region in which the person was bitten and whether he had an anti-encephalitis vaccination, after a tick bite, you should carefully monitor the condition of the victim for at least a month, and if symptoms of the disease appear, immediately contact doctor.
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The tick can infect a person with various infections, so having a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is not a complete protection.
On average, Lyme borreliosis is 1-2 weeks, but sometimes it can stretch up to several months. If at this time the victim's health worsens or the following symptoms appear, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor as soon as possible for an early diagnosis. Warning symptoms after a tick bite include:
If any of these symptoms appear, you should contact an infectious disease specialist as soon as possible. It is the timely treatment started for all tick-borne infections that makes it possible to avoid the threat of developing serious consequences.
Even if the analysis of the tick revealed that it was infected with an infection, the likelihood of developing the disease in humans is low. According to statistics, even when bitten by infected ticks, an average of 2-6% of those bitten fall ill.
However, the onset of the disease can be diagnosed even in the incubation period. To do this, you need to take a blood test for tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis. Immunoassay reveals antibodies to the pathogens of the corresponding diseases in the blood.
As noted above, such an analysis will be indicative no earlier than 10 days after the bite. On the 14th day after the incident, it makes sense to donate blood for antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus, and 20 days later - for antibodies to Borrelia. If this or that disease is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe treatment even before the onset of severe symptoms.
Prevention of tick bites
It is easier to prevent a tick bite than to run around hospitals and worry about possible infection. At the same time, all the difficulties of such protection against attacks by bloodsuckers are mainly organizational, not requiring any special knowledge and skills.
It is also useful to use repellents based on pyrethroids and DEET. Many of these products are also suitable for children.
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If the tick has just begun to dig in, or is still crawling over the skin in search of a place for suction, it is hardly noticeable, as it has small size. A sucking small larva is also not always easy to detect - it can look like a papilloma, and even with a close examination it can be “slip through” with a glance. Similarly, it can be difficult to find a tick in the hair if it has climbed onto the head.
When traveling to nature in a region endemic for tick-borne encephalitis, it is first necessary to be vaccinated against TBE. Then even a tick bite that occurs will be much less dangerous: a person will not get sick with encephalitis, and even if he does get sick (which happens extremely rarely with a vaccination), the disease will proceed easily and without complications.
However, vaccination cannot protect against Lyme borreliosis - a specific anti-borreliosis vaccine has not been developed.
Finally, some insurance companies now offer tick bite insurance. The insurance package for one person costs about 500-800 rubles, and the sum insured covers the analysis of the tick for encephalitis and borreliosis, blood tests of the bitten and the full treatment of the disease.
Useful video about first aid for a tick bite
What to do if a child is bitten by a tick
