This is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. The ixodes ricinus is the Sheep Tick. A tick is an external parasite that sucks the blood of animals and humans. It lives in tall grass, shrubs and bushes. The ticks are found in warm forested parts of Central Europe and Scandinavia, especially in areas where there is heavy undergrowth. Peak incidence occurs between April and August. Ticks prefer warm, moist and dark areas of the body; and are partricularly active in the summer months after a rainy day.
The infection is asymptomatic in 90% of cases, especially in children. Those who do develop 'flu-like symptoms may recover but 10% of them suffer a relapse with encephalitis.
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is accompanied by fever and paralysis. The European form of the disease is relatively mild and the fatality rate is under 5%.
Approximately 25% of those affected go on to develop additional symptoms such as meningitis. A third of these will continue to suffer with neurological problems and disturbances of balance and co-ordination.
People most at risk are hikers, campers, hunters and foresters. The disease is occasionally transmitted by eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products.
Careful avoidance of tick bites is the best means of prevention. However, only 1%-2% of ticks are likely to be carriers of the infection.
An orthodox preventative immunization is available and is recommended for adults and children every 3 years in high risk areas. This is not part of the routine vaccine schedule recommended for travellers from Britain.
As an alternative to the vaccine, consider the homeopathic remedy European tick-borne encephalitis nosode 30c once a week while travelling. You can increase this dose to 2-3 times a week if you feel you are at high risk from ticks.
The incidence among children increases with age, boys being affected more than girls. The incubation period is 4-14 days and the person affected then develops 'flu-like symptoms followed by a remission. After some weeks or months, there may develop neck stiffness, headaches, photophobia, or paralysis.
Tick vaccine plus booster injections are recommended to be given in the winter before the tick season starts in the spring. It is suggested that tick vaccinations should be repeated every 3 years for people who live in or travel frequently to Central and Eastern Europe.
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Avoid the vaccine if you are sensitive to egg protein or antibiotics (especially Neomycin and Gentamycin). Not recommended for children under 3 years, or the elderly. Side effects of the vaccine include fever, pins and needles, nausea and vomiting, pain in the joints and muscles, swollen glands, abnormal heartbeat. AVOID GIVING THE VACCINE TO YOUR CHILDREN IF THEY HAVE A FEVER OR A HISTORY OF FITTING WITH A FEVER.
Ledum 30c or 200c is the first remedy to consider as the tick bite is a puncture wound. Silica 30c will assist the expulsion of a foreign body from the skin.
This is caused by a spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi and affects about 2,000 people in the UK each year. The disease is transmitted by ticks and is common in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia; more recently in the UK, especially in the New Forest, the Yorkshire Moors and the Scottish Highlands. The ticks live on animals such as deer and mice, and bite in forested areas and parks where there is tall grass, shrubs or low trees. There is no vaccine for Lyme Disease: symptoms are treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms occur within a month of being bitten: most commonly, skin rash at the bite site. This is an expanding rash or bruise: the mark can feel warm to the touch but might not itch or cause pain. Other symptoms include 'flu-like illness with fever and muscle pains. Weeks or months later, signs of neurological damage may occur: Bell's palsy or heart abnormalities. Later still, possible arthritis.
The homeopathic nosode is Borrelia burgdorferi nosode. Take 2 doses a day in 30c potency for 3-5 days if you suspect you have been bitten by a tick. Take one dose a week while travelling in an area where Lyme Disease is known to be present. A herbal tincture called DIPSICUS is reported to be helpful in treating symptoms.
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