“Borreliosis can cause arthritis and neurological disorders, and tick-borne encephalitis can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and even death. If you have been bitten by a tick or found one on yourself and have any doubts, you should consult a doctor for an examination. This is especially important if there is general malaise, headache, or neck stiffness,” said the SberHealth specialist.
It is also important to consult a doctor after removing a tick yourself to decide what further steps to take to avoid the dangerous consequences of the bite.
The expert emphasized that the vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis helps reduce the risk of infection and development of the disease - it can be given at any age (starting from one year).
“It is recommended for residents of regions where the infection is endemic, that is, characteristic of the area,” Alentov explained.
According to him, these include, for example, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Sverdlovsk Region and others.
“In addition, it is recommended that people who often visit forests, as well as those involved in gardening and agriculture, be vaccinated,” explained RT’s interlocutor.
The main season of tick activity is April - November, the doctor warned.
“Vaccinations against tick-borne viral encephalitis are carried out according to two schemes: basic and emergency, accelerated. The basic vaccination scheme includes two or three vaccinations, which must be given in the autumn-spring period, from November to March, with an interval depending on the vaccine - from one to seven months. After 5-12 months, also depending on the vaccine, a third vaccination is necessary. Three vaccinations are considered a complete vaccination course. This is followed by re-vaccination every three years to maintain a high level of protection,” Alentov noted.
With an emergency, or accelerated, vaccination scheme, he said, the interval between the first and second vaccinations is reduced - from two weeks to a month, depending on the vaccine. It is usually carried out before the season, in the winter-spring period.
“Re-vaccination is carried out one year after the second vaccination, and then every three years. The risk of infection and severe tick-borne encephalitis decreases two to four weeks after vaccination, but this does not guarantee 100% protection. It is important to plan the vaccine and, if possible, protect yourself from tick bites,” the doctor concluded.
As for the vaccine against borreliosis, clinical trials are currently being conducted, but at the moment there is no vaccine available, the expert explained.
“At the same time, borreliosis can be effectively treated - according to indications, the doctor can prescribe antibiotic therapy,” Alentov shared.
Earlier, Vadim Maryinsky, a researcher at the Department of General Ecology of the Faculty of Biology of Moscow State University, spoke with RT about ways to prevent a tick bite.