Encephalitis tick: what it looks like from a photo, symptoms of a tick bite, signs, consequences

What does an encephalitis tick look like?

Encephalitis is a disease of the brain in which an inflammatory process develops in it. The pathology belongs to the primary or, as it is also called, independent type. It develops as a result of a tick bite. The encephalitis tick is no different from the usual one. Pathology can only be identified through specific studies. The virus is transmitted by females, larvae and even nymphs of arthropods. Infection occurs from animals that have been bitten by ticks previously.

A tick looks like a small insect. It is usually colored brownish-red and has a proboscis. The length of the male in a hungry state reaches 2.5 mm. The female is larger than him. Its size can be 3-4 mm. The top of the tick's body is covered with a dense black plate. In a male individual, it covers almost the entire back. After blood saturation occurs, the female increases in size to one centimeter. The size of the male does not change. The fact is that he needs less food. To understand what encephalitis ticks look like, you need to look at the photo.

To make a bite, the tick uses a hypos. Outwardly, it resembles a proboscis. It is with its help that the tick attaches to the victim and feeds with its help. The hypophysis is also a sensory organ. Most often, ticks bite victims in the ears, groin, abdomen, lower back, chest, armpits or neck. As a result of exposure to arthropod saliva, a local inflammatory process occurs. Additionally, an allergic reaction may occur. It appears as redness at the site of the bite. In this case, the victim does not feel pain. Changes in the skin do not always occur. And the evidence of a tick bite in this situation is the arthropod itself that has sucked on.

Depending on the region, the risk of encountering a tick bite can vary significantly. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the season, but also to temperature and humidity. Thus, the most favorable weather for ticks is considered to be an air temperature of plus 5 degrees and a humidity of 80%. Such conditions are usually observed in May-June and in late August and early September. If the temperature is above 22 degrees Celsius, mite activity decreases.

Typically, arthropods attack prey in cloudy weather before rain. The greatest danger is observed before 8 am and after 19-22 pm. Typically, ticks do not rise to a height of more than 50 cm. They jump onto the victim from the grass or bushes. A tick can spend a long time looking for a suitable place to bite. If noticed in time, insects should be removed before they bite through the skin.

The male tick does not attach itself to the victim. He quickly bites, feeds and falls off. The female adheres to a different tactic. She will sit on the victim until she is completely saturated. At the same time, its weight increases almost 100 times.

Main varieties

There are several main types of mites.

Ixodids are the largest representatives. Their body reaches 2.5 centimeters in length. Females are distinguished by their fertility. They are capable of laying up to 17 thousand eggs. The group includes agras and ixodid ticks. Agras insects have soft integuments. Ixodids have hard shields.

Oribati mites are soil insects. They feed on plant debris.

Barn mites are small parasites with gnawing chelicerae. They live in soil and agricultural products.

Red heifers. Larvae are parasites, adult insects are predators. The presented species often affects mammals, reptiles and birds.

First aid for a tick bite

If a person is bitten by a tick, it is necessary to immediately contact an institution involved in the prevention of tick-borne infections. A timely visit to the seroprophylaxis center will allow you to avoid pathologies carried by these arthropods. If a person has not previously been vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, immunoglobulin will be administered after a blood and insect test. The action must be completed 3 days from the moment of the bite. In this situation, the development of the disease can be avoided, even if the tick was infected with encephalitis.

Having noticed a tick attached to you, the first thing you need to do is pull it out. This will reduce the risk of infection and reduce the likelihood of developing an allergic reaction. The remaining wound is treated with disinfectants. It can be 5% iodine, vodka or alcohol. After the procedure is completed, you must wash your hands well.

The removed tick should not be thrown away. It must be placed in a vial or jar with a damp swab, and then taken to the laboratory. If there is no seroprophylaxis point nearby, or the person does not know where it is, it is necessary to get rid of the insect to prevent infection of others. To do this, you need to burn it or drown it in boiling water.

Principles of nutrition

As a rule, ticks feed on the blood of small animals - mice, shrews, voles. Some types of parasites prefer to feed on plant debris.

Of the 48 thousand ticks, only a small number are parasites. Many insects prefer rotting plants or animal remains to blood. A number of ticks are predators.

Symptoms of encephalitis

If a person does not see a doctor, the risk of encephalitis remains for 30 days from the moment of the bite. This is how long the incubation period of the disease lasts. It usually appears within one to two weeks from the moment of the bite. The development of the disease occurs in several stages. Within one to two days of the bite, a person may begin to feel weakness in the legs and arms. The condition is often accompanied by a feeling of weakness.

The next stage is the acute period of the disease. It is characterized by fever. The temperature may rise to 39-40 degrees. A person is faced with a sleep disorder. A manifestation of the syndrome of impaired consciousness is observed. Its essence lies in the fact that a person perceives any external stimuli very keenly. At the same time, there is a slowdown in thinking. The patient loses orientation in space. The patient develops severe headaches, nausea and vomiting. Redness appears at the site of the bite. Similar phenomena are observed on the face, skin and even the eyes. The patient is bothered by muscle pain.

The symptoms of the pathology at the first stage are very similar to the flu. Because of this disease, it is often confused, which leads to a worsening of its further course. Encephalitis can occur in the form of the letter H. There is a break between phases. For the first 3-7 days, a person is in a state very similar to the flu. In this case, the brain is not affected. Then follows a break, the duration of which is 1-2 days. Experts call it ataraxia. Then the second wave of fever begins. It is during this that damage to the central nervous system and brain is observed. There are five forms during the pathology. The list includes:

Feverish. This type of pathology is considered one of the easiest. If a patient is diagnosed with this type of disease, there remains a large chance of recovery. The pathology manifests itself in the form of a feverish state. It lasts for several days. In this case, the central nervous system is practically not affected.
Meningeal. This type of pathology occurs most often. The duration of the disease is 6-12 days. The prognosis is always favorable. The pathology is manifested by a general poor condition, muscle tension at the back of the head and inhibited thinking. In this case, the symptoms of damage to the membranes of the brain are very clearly visible. The man assumes the pose of a gundog. He arches his back, throws his head back and presses his knees to his stomach. Additionally, blanket syndrome is present. A person feels the desire to hide under the blanket even in conditions of closed consciousness. There is an increase in the sensitivity of the senses and skin. The person involuntarily sucks in his stomach.
Meningoencephalitic. This is a severe type of pathology. In turn, there are two types of disease - focal and diffuse. In 1 situation, most of the cranial nerves are affected. As a result, epilepsy may develop. In a quarter of cases there is death. In the second type of pathology, inflammation of the substance of the membranes of the brain occurs. The patient experiences epileptic seizures, hallucinations and delusions. The result of the pathology can be cerebral edema and disruption of vital functions. This causes the death of the patient. Even if successful treatment is carried out, problems with swallowing and speech may persist. As a result, a person may be recognized as disabled.
Poliomyelitis. Initially, the patient feels severe weakness. He gets tired very quickly. There is a feeling of numbness throughout the body. Then flaccid paralysis of the muscles of the neck and arms occurs. The head lies on the chest. Symptoms persist for 7 days. Then atrophy of the damaged muscles is observed. This type of disease occurs in 30% of cases. It can cause disability.
Polyradiculoneuritic. The symptoms are similar to the previous form of the disease. However, in this situation, the roots and peripheral nerves are most affected. The patient can be cured without any consequences.

Habitats

Ticks love moisture, so they are often found in damp forests with moderate shade. You can also meet insects at the bottom of ravines, in thickets of willows, and on the banks of streams.

In some cases, parasites concentrate on paths and forest paths. They are attracted to this place by the smell of animals. Sometimes insects jump on people from birch, willow, poplar, oak and maple trees.

Diagnosis and treatment

To detect encephalitis, it is necessary to conduct a blood test. However, the result will not be obtained immediately after the bite. The disease will be confirmed only after 2 weeks. The most reliable way to diagnose pathology is lumbar puncture. Material for research is collected between the processes of the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae. The cerebrospinal fluid is then sent for analysis. The results obtained are compared with established standards. The study will be ready in a week. There are a number of other methods that allow you to get the final result faster. The list includes:

counter immunophoresis;
fluorescent antibodies;
PCR.

If the patient has encephalitis, treatment will depend on the symptoms. They can vary significantly. Even people who have previously been vaccinated need to see a specialist. During the acute period of the disease, bed rest is prescribed. The patient is admitted to the hospital. There he should remain until the symptoms disappear. Additionally, you must follow a diet. It is developed individually. It depends on the degree of damage to the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, it is recommended to take ascorbic acid. It is required to improve the functioning of the liver and adrenal glands.

Anti-encephalitis immunoglobulin is used to combat the disease. The positive effect is noticeable within one or two days. After its administration, a decrease in temperature to normal is observed, meningeal symptoms become less pronounced, and the general condition of the patient improves. Sometimes anti-encephalitis immunoglobulin is replaced by:

leukinferon;
homologous polyglobulin;
reaferon;
serum immunoglobulin;
ribonuclease.

Vitamins, sodium chloride and glucose are used to combat the effects of toxins. All substances are administered intravenously. For some types of pathology, additional treatment methods are prescribed. If the disease has not affected the cranial nerves and there is no disorder of consciousness, the doctor will prescribe the use of prednisolone. At the same time, a gentle diet and potassium salts are prescribed.

Memo for children

Adults should tell children the rules of behavior. The memo for preschool educational institutions and schoolchildren is practically no different:

Wear closed clothing, socks, and hats in the forest.
Avoid tall grass.
Do not enter the thicket or thicket.
Hair should be hidden under a hat.
Examine the body every 2 hours.
Upon returning home, do a check-up, throw your clothes in the wash, and comb your hair.
Use repellents in the form of cream, spray, lotion, or folk remedies.
Wear special suits.

If you find an attached pest, do not try to get it out, pull it out yourself, you need to inform an adult about this.

Consequences of an encephalitis tick bite

Encephalitis can lead to a large number of complications. The result of the disease can be:

urinary and fecal incontinence;
meningitis;
deterioration of vision and hearing;
occurrence of mental problems;
headaches that constantly bother the patient;
disruption of the musculoskeletal system.

If rehabilitation is carried out correctly, the negative consequences gradually disappear. However, this will take time. In severe cases of pathology, recovery may take several years.

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Doctor's opinion

Encephalitis is a very dangerous disease. It is impossible to predict whether a tick that has bitten a person will carry it or not. For this reason, vaccination is recommended. Vaccinations are given to adults and children. The full course allows you to obtain immunity from the disease for 3 years. Then revaccination is carried out. The measure must be taken for residents of areas where large outbreaks of the disease are detected. The vaccination schedule is drawn up by the therapist. Domestic and foreign drugs are used for vaccination.

If a person is nevertheless bitten, the tick must be immediately removed and then sent to a medical facility. The arthropod is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. If it turns out that the tick was not a carrier of the pathology, no additional treatment measures are taken. However, a person may be offered a vaccination. A timely response to what happened will protect a person from possible negative consequences.

Saprophytes

These are arthropods that feed on decaying organic matter. Saprophytic mites are relatively harmless. Most of them process rotting organic matter, improving soil quality like earthworms. But the “dust allergy” known to many is actually due to the presence of dust mites Dermatophagoides farinae in the home.

These are microscopic creatures measuring 0.1-0.5 mm. They feed on epidermal scales, particles of fallen hair and animal fur, and waste products.

“Dust allergy” is actually caused not by house dust, but by the excrement of dust mites and particles of the shells of dead arthropods. Dermatophagoides farinae live in uncollected dust in corners and under furniture, in sofas, pillows, and mattresses. To get rid of this type of arachnid, regular thorough cleaning and treatment of upholstered furniture is carried out.

Prevention

Emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis takes place in two injections, then a break of fourteen days is taken. The vaccine is administered if a citizen has arrived in a place where there has been a sudden outbreak of tick-borne encephalitis. The most dangerous periods are spring and summer. At other times of the year, emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis is not used.

After about a year, it is necessary to vaccinate again. If it turns out that a tick bite occurred and the person was not vaccinated, then a special immunoglobulin is used to prevent tick-borne encephalitis. Therefore, if a tick is found on the skin and has stuck to it, it is urgently necessary to visit the nearest hospital.

When a person goes into the forest, he needs to know a few simple rules to prevent a tick bite. You should try not to go hiking in May and June, this is the most dangerous period. And if you do go into the forest, you need to walk in places where there are no thickets. Clothes should only be long sleeved and boots should be worn. To make ticks easier to see, you should wear light-colored clothing. After the hike, you need to carefully inspect everything for the presence of ticks.

The vaccine contains three injections and is calculated for a year. When two vaccinations have already been done, the level of antibodies begins to be produced in the human body. There are up to five months between the first and second vaccines, so the injection should be given around February. But the third one needs to be done after the first one, a year later.

You will have to dress correctly so that the tick does not reach the skin; it can bite in those places where it is most comfortable. He loves most of all thin skin such as: on the neck, in the groin, behind the ears and even under the chest.

And most importantly, to avoid infection with tick-borne encephalitis from goat or cow milk, it is necessary to boil it. If you find a tick on your body that has already attached itself, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. To avoid infection, emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis is needed.

Causes

As soon as the encephalitis tick bites, the virus immediately reaches the person. Even if it was not sucked on for a long time, there is still a high risk of getting the encephalitis virus. Because what happens is that the tick’s saliva is the pathogen and immediately penetrates the wound.

The disease occurs most often in spring and autumn. Then the activity of ticks is greatest, and they turn out to be carriers of the virus. You can become infected with this disease by crushing or rubbing a tick that has already attached itself to the skin. You can also get the infection through goat's or cow's milk. You don’t even have to go into the forest; there could be a tick on the fur of your beloved pet.

If the disease was acquired through milk, doctors diagnose in this case a secondary type of infection. Because in this situation, the virus first enters the organs, and then into the skull. When tick-borne encephalitis occurs, infection directly affects the spinal cord and brain.