Expert ticks transmit very serious diseases

The spring season has started with the tick season. The small animals can transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme disease or FSME. While the former is widespread nationwide, tick-borne encephalitis occurs only in certain risk areas. Tick ​​bites should be avoided as much as possible.

Ticks transmit dangerous infectious diseases
The warmer spring weather has also allowed ticks to get active. A tick bite can transmit severe infectious diseases such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The former is widespread nationwide, however, FSME occurs only in certain risk areas. In addition to Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg, parts of Hesse are also included, as the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" (FAZ) reports in a recent article. Overall, the number of TBE disorders in the past two years in Hesse remained constant, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

Do not underestimate the risk of infection

Peter Kimmig from the University of Hohenheim explained that the number of diseases was not decisive. The fluctuation of the TBE case numbers is therefore also "dependent on the climatic conditions in the respective years. If it is too hot or too wet, the parasite and the host will meet less frequently. "Even though only between 0.1 and 5 percent of ticks in Germany are infected with TBE viruses, the expert warned against underestimating the risk of infection. The little bloodsuckers are mainly found in woods and meadows, but ticks also lurk in the garden. According to the German Society of Neurology, the probability of contracting TBE after a tick bite is one in 150.

Vaccination against TBE
For those who have been infected, usually after about two weeks symptoms such as headache, body aches, dizziness and moderate fever show. As the FAZ writes, the fever rises in about a third after a temporary improvement again. Easier disease courses lead to meningitis, which heals without consequences in most cases. But in more severe disease processes brain and spinal cord are affected. The result can be permanent damage. The disease can not be specifically treated, only the symptoms can be alleviated. Against TBE can protect a vaccine, the immunization consists of a total of three vaccinations. People who spend a lot of time outdoors, living in risky areas or traveling there should, according to experts, get vaccinated.

Protect against tick bites
There is no vaccine against Lyme disease. According to estimates, up to 200,000 people in this country suffer from Lyme disease every year. Among the symptoms of the disease include general symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, fever and nonspecific joint and muscle pain. The so-called walking red is indeed a 100 percent symptom, but occurs only in half of the patients. The disease can be controlled by taking antibiotics, otherwise it can take a chronic course. Experts advise to protect themselves from tick bites as much as possible. Not only special mosquito repellents, but also long trousers can help. After an outdoor stay, you should check your body for ticks and remove them if present. (Ad)

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