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Tick-borne encephalitis

Encephalitis acarinica · Klíšťová encefalitida

What it is

A flavivirus from tick bites (or raw goat's milk) inflames the brain and its lining; common in Central Europe and the Czech Republic.

Symptoms & signs

  • Flu-like illness a week after a bite
  • a few symptom-free days
  • then high fever, severe headache and stiff neck
  • confusion, tremor or paralysis
  • long-term fatigue and poor concentration

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now High fever with severe headache and a stiff neck
  • call 112 / 911 now Confusion, drowsiness, a seizure or weakness of arms or legs
  • see a doctor soon Flu-like illness within 4 weeks of a tick bite
  • see a doctor soon A spreading red ring around a bite (Lyme disease)

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Vaccination (FSME-Immun, Encepur): 3 doses, then boosters — about 95% protection in Austrian field data
  • no antiviral treatment — supportive care in hospital
  • remove ticks promptly with tweezers
  • pasteurise milk

Natural & lifestyle

  • Repellent (DEET, icaridin) and long clothing in forests
  • check the skin after walks
  • rehabilitation after the acute illness

Emerging & experimental

  • Antivirals against flaviviruses (galidesivir) in the lab
  • monoclonal antibodies in animal studies

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Vitamins C and D for viral encephalitis — general immune support; untested here anecdotal / traditional
  • Garlic eaten to repel ticks — one Swedish trial in soldiers found fewer tick bites early / small studies
  • Vitamin B1 as a repellent — tested, and it did not repel mosquitoes not confirmed in trials

ICD codes