Tick ​​bite Only safe sex protects against ticks

"Summer, sun, tick bite": When the summer days are warm, then many couples can imagine having sex outdoors as well. However, this should definitely be "safe", warns the tick-information service. Safer is not only important to protect against dangerous infectious diseases, but also against ticks.

Ticks are lurking in the grass
If couples feel unobserved in woods and meadows, they are not alone. "Ticks lurk in the tall grass, bushes and undergrowth. Although the little arachnids have no eyes, they recognize people by the smell. To make sure that outdoor sex is really safe, outdoor fans should think of condoms as well as the TBE vaccine, "say the experts. In many regions of Germany, there is a high risk of being infected with tick-biting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). A relatively high risk exists mainly in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, in southern Hesse and in southeastern Thuringia. "But also in central Hesse, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony."

Safer: Study the map before the outdoor pleasure
Before the flirtation can start, couple should look at the map of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). That's unromantic but safer. Those who live mainly in the risk areas should consider vaccination. This is especially true when you are out in the open, which is recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute. Even those who only take a holiday in the risk areas or stay for a short time, should take the vaccine. Persons living in FSME areas in Germany are entitled to reimbursement of TBE vaccination from the statutory health insurance funds.

The warning comes however relatively late. Even with a rapid immunization against TBE, weeks pass until vaccinated individuals are protected from infection. Therefore, "outdoor lovers" are initially better prepared if the map of the RKI is observed. As a rule of thumb, mainly in the south are the areas with the highest TBE risk. (Sb)
: Thorben Wengert