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Borreliosis
After c. 1-2 weeks:
- Reddening of the skin
- Feeling unwell
- Flu-like infection
- Fever (not necessarily)
After a few months:
- Meningitis
- Nervous illnesses (facial paralysis)
- Heart diseases
At later stage:
- Joint diseases (arthritids)
- Skin diseases |
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TBE
After c. 1-2 weeks:
- Feeling unwell
- Flu-like infection
- Fever
After c. 1 month:
- Meningitis
- Nervous diseases
- Paralyses |
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 Ticks –
dangerous disease-carriers
50,000-100,000 infections (in Germany)
A large number of various kinds of illnesses are carried worldwide by tick
bites. Lyme disease (borreliosis) is the most common tickborne disease in
the USA, Europe and parts of Asia. More than 10,000 cases of disease occur
annually (some sources mention 50,000 – 100,000 new infections in
Germany).
Personal risk is particularly high for all people who spend time in areas
favoured by ticks.
Caution in
woods and fields
Particular caution is recommended especially in thin woodland (in undergrowth,
at the edges of woods, in grass and on shrubs and bushes).
Ticks are brushed off by people and animals passing by depending on the
stage of development:
• from grasses of up to 30 cm
tall (larvae)
• from foliage of c. 1m tall (nymphs)
• from plants of up to 1.5m tall (adult ticks)
Ticks are therefore found up to a maximum of 1.5 m above the ground and
do not, as is often falsely assumed, fall from trees. Ticks are also occasionally
active in gardens and parks in residential areas.
Ticks prefer damp, mild weather with temperatures of between 10 °C and
20 °C, though they already become active at a ground temperature of
5-7 °C. Particularly active seasons for ticks are the transition periods
and wet summers. Hot and dry summers slow down tick activity.
Prevention
of tick bites
• Prevent tick bites as far as possible by wearing clothing which
covers all parts of the body
• Avoid undergrowth, bushes or tall grass as far as possible
• Use insect repellents which may keep ticks away
• Every time you have been in areas with foliage shake clothes thoroughly
and search them for ticks, shower and examine your body for ticks
 Our
Tip: Wear light clothes for preference, as you can more easily see
any ticks you have picked up!
Diseases caused
by tick bites
Borreliosis
Borreliosis (known as Lyme disease in the USA) is caused by the transmission
of bacteria. Risk of infection with the pathogens of the infectious disease
"borreliosis" exists practically all over Germany, as about every
fifth to tenth tick is contaminated with these bacteria.
A typical symptom (but not in all borreliosis patients) is so-called Erythrema
migrans (also called migrating redness). This ring-shaped skin reddening
is observed for a few days to weeks after a tick bite around the site of
the puncture and also at other sites on the body.
The early stage of becoming ill with borreliosis also shows symptoms such
as feeling unwell and fever (similar to a flu infection). The disease may
lead at a later stage to meningitis, heart problems and facial paralysis
(facialis paresis).
At the long-term stage the following may occur:
• Inflammation of the joints (arthritits)
• Skin diseases (greaseproof paper skin = acrodermatitis chronica
atrophicans)
Protection by inoculation is not yet possible!
Treatment by administering high doses of antibiotics in good time is possible.
TBE
The tick bite disease TBE (early summer meningoencephalitis) is caused by
viruses carried by ticks. There is risk of infection in particular in regions
of South Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It can be assumed that about
every 100th tick is infected.
In a first phase the illness begins with fever, head and limb pains (similar
to summer flu). In most cases the infection is already over by this time.
However, the virus can also attack the central nervous system resulting
in meningitis which may be cured without any long-term damage. In an infection
which goes badly not only the meninges, but the entire brain (meningoencephalitis)
may be affected by the disease and it may result in impairment of consciousness,
speech and swallowing, symptoms of paralysis and psychic changes.
By comparison with borreliosis TBE occurs rarely and in Germany confined
to certain areas only (c. 500 infections a year and only a few end in the
feared long-term damage).
Protection by inoculation is possible
for this disease.
Treatment of the disease is not possible; only the symptoms can be treated.
A differential diagnosis must be made,
as the courses of the two illnesses are similar!
Other
illnesses which can be carried by ticks
Various kinds of spotted fevers are also carried by ticks (particularly
in the Mediterranean) Symptoms are high fever and a skin rash.
A disease known as erlichiosis,
which is caused by bacteria (ehrlichiae), occurs mainly in the south of
the USA and only rarely in Europe. There may be fever, head and muscle pains,
but the infection often runs its course without symptoms.
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Dr. Schick GmbH
Waldstraße 15
D-74889 Sinsheim
Phone +49(0)7261-913910
Phone +49(0)7261-913911
Fax +49(0)7261-913912
www.tick-tweezers.com
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