Diseases

Lyme disease

The right diagnosis is crucial, but sometimes difficult

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that can be found in the tick's abdomen. They are capable of producing a wide range of disease symptoms, which is why incorrect diagnoses and treatments often occur.

In 1975, the first cases of Lyme disease were reported in the town of Lyme in Connecticut/USA. If after a tick bite a redness develops that is larger than 4 cm ("wandering redness"), please see a doctor immediately to initiate the right treatment. It is probably a Borrelia infection!

It happens that patients carry the disease for several years without knowing that a tick bite is the cause of the disease. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.

TBE - Tick-Borne Encephalitis

Prevention through vaccination is possible

Tick-borne encephalitis(TBE) is a viral disease. Therefore, the basic disease cannot be treated with antibiotics.

After transmission of TBE viruses, flu-like symptoms develop within a few weeks. Most people recover after a while. In one third of cases, the virus spreads to the brain and can cause severe symptoms.

The only effective protection is prevention through TBE vaccination. Unfortunately, early removal of the tick is not sufficient protection against TBE, as the viruses can already be transmitted at the beginning of the sucking act. Very well-tolerated vaccines against TBE are available for the entire family. TBE vaccine protection that has been proven in practice is also available for children and adolescents from 1 to 15 years of age. To build up a rapid vaccination protection, two vaccinations at intervals of 14 days have proven to be effective.

A third vaccination after about one year completes the basic immunisation.

Babesiosis

Blood parasites

Babesiosis is caused by a blood parasite that attacks the red blood cells.

There are at least 70 different types of babesiosis worldwide, at least two of which can be infectious to humans.

Ehrlichiosis

Treatable with antibiotics