[Tick-borne encephalitis (FSME)--how great is the danger really?].
Tick-borne encephalitis is a neurotropic viral disease transmitted by ticks, and occasionally by the drinking of milk. Its incidence in Central and Eastern Europe has increased sharply, supposedly due--among other things--to climate warming and changes in leisure activities. The probability of contracting the disease following viral infection is about 30%. Some 70% of victims manifest a biphasic course with two fever peaks. Some 10% will have lasting, sometimes severe, neurological deficits, and 1 to 2% will die. The diagnosis is based on confirmed exposure to ticks in a high-risk area, a tick bite within the previous three weeks, clinical symptomatology, infected CSF, and FSME-specific IgM and IgG antibodies in the serum. Causal treatment is not possible, but the disease can be effectively avoided by prophylactic (anti-exposure) measures and vaccination. The vaccines currently available in Germany are highly effective and well tolerated, and a vaccine for children became available in 2002. Medical counselling of travellers should give consideration to vaccination against the condition--in particular for destinations in the south east or east of Europe.
Lademann
M
M
Abt. für Tropenmedizin und Infektionskrankheiten, Klinik für Innere Medizin, Universität Rostock.
Wild
B
B
Reisinger
E C
EC
D002648:Child; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014195:Travel; D014611:Vaccination; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
C464914:Encepur; D014765:Viral Vaccines