Late summer-autumn: Ticks are lurking in the woods, meadows, bushes, loose leaves, and playgrounds.
The areas affected by meningitis are continually spreading. A tick is picked up in passing and it's bite frequently goes unnoticed since their saliva contains anesthetic agents.
Typical Symptoms:
7-10 days after tick bite: Flu-like symptoms such as headaches and body aches, fever and runny nose. These symptoms may become worse after 10 days and can be accompanied by myelitis (an inflammation of the spinal cord that manifests as fever, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, and vomiting). Permanent damage such as paralysis and a lack of coordination can occur. The disease is potentially lethal and is more severe in the elderly.
For these reasons the vaccination is strongly recommended!
- From 6 years and up.
- There are special vaccinations for children and for adults.
- The immunization is well tolerated, without preservatives and no human blood components.
- Normal schedule: Repeat after 1 month and after 9 months.
- Quick schedule: Repeat after 1 week and after 3 weeks.
- Duration of immunity: 10 years.
What to do if you discover a tick:
- With tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and
- ... with care, pull it backwards.
- Disinfect the area, if traces of the tick remain contact a physician.
- Do not rotate the tick as you pull, do not use oil.
- Monitor the area for 6 weeks: Seek medical attention if an annular erythema (red ring) forms; the ring may wander.
