Elevated risk warning: Virginity cases surge in Austria
Tick Season's Back, Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Looms Again
Brace yourself, folks, because tick season has returned, and so has the nasty business of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Unfortunately, there's still no cure for this nasty neurological infection that's quite common in Europe.
TBE is no walk in the park. It's known for symptoms like fever, headaches, gait disturbances, paralysis, and, in severe cases, death. The disease progresses without treatment, and the focus is solely on managing the symptoms.
So, what's the deal with TBE? The virus is usually spread through ticks, and it's lurking in regions like Austria and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It can take anywhere from two to 28 days after a tick bite for the signs of TBE to show up. Fortunately, TBE isn't contagious from one human to another.
Last year, Upper Austria reported the highest number of cases (49), followed closely by Styria (22), according to the latest epidemiological data. Around 158 TBE patients ended up in the hospital across the country.
A whopping 53% of those affected experienced severe symptoms. These folks dealt with neurological issues like meningitis, myelitis, or neuritis. In the worst cases, people didn't fully recover.
But there's some good news! The TBE vaccine offers decent protection against the disease. The Austrian vaccination plan suggests the TBE vaccine for children as young as one. The protective effects start approximately two weeks after the second vaccination, which takes place around 1-3 months after the first. The third vaccination is recommended five to twelve weeks after the second, followed by a booster every five years for those over 60.
For children under 15, the vaccine costs €28.25 with an Austrian social security number, or €32.75 without. Adults can expect to pay somewhere between €28.25 to €32.75, plus an additional €12.67 vaccination fee. You can get the vaccine through public campaigns in popular areas and standard healthcare providers.
The TBE vaccine is particularly important for people with extended outdoor exposure, such as hikers or those working in forestry. The protective effects begin around two weeks after the second vaccination. For more specific details about the vaccine and its administration, be sure to consult with a healthcare provider.
The Austrian Vaccination Commission (ÖIK) includes TBE in travel advisories for endemic regions. Keep in mind that booster shots may be necessary if you continue to face exposure risks. TBE is endemic in regions like Austria, particularly in forested areas.
So, stay safe out there, folks! Don't forget to keep an eye on those ticks and get yourself vaccinated if you're spending a lot of time in the great outdoors.
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a nasty neurological infection, is back as tick season returns, and it's quite common in Europe.
- The disease progresses without treatment, and symptoms include fever, headaches, gait disturbances, paralysis, and, in severe cases, death.
- TBE is usually spread through ticks, and it's lurking in regions like Austria and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
- In severe cases last year, around 53% of those affected experienced neurological issues like meningitis, myelitis, or neuritis, with some not fully recovering.
- The TBE vaccine offers decent protection against the disease and is recommended for children as young as one.
- For people with extended outdoor exposure, such as hikers or those working in forestry, the protective effects begin around two weeks after the second vaccination.
- TBE is endemic in regions like Austria, particularly in forested areas, and the Austrian Vaccination Commission (ÖIK) includes TBE in travel advisories for endemic regions.
