Tick-borne Encephalitis
Price per dose: £60
Number of doses required: 2 or 3§
Total price: £120
What is Tick-borne Encephalitis?
Tick-borne encephalitis symptoms occur in two stages. First signs of TBE include flu-like symptoms such as:
On average, these symptoms last around eight days and most people make a full recovery. In around 20-30 percent of cases, people go on to develop more serious symptoms.
This is when the virus has spread to the protective tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and the brain itself (encephalitis).
More serious symptoms can include:
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Changes in mental state
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Feeling confused
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Feeling disorientated
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Feeling drowsy
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Seizures
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A sensitivity to bright light
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An inability to speak
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Paralysis
If you have any of the above symptoms, you’ll most likely be admitted to hospital for medical attention. These more severe symptoms will subside after a few weeks, but it could take several months or even years to fully recover. There is a risk of long-term complications and around one in 100 cases of TBE turns out fatal.
Make sure to ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you’ve been bitten by a tick or visited a place where ticks are found and:
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You have flu-like symptoms like having a fever, feeling hot and shivery, having a headache, aching muscles or nausea
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You have a circular rash (this could be caused by Lyme disease, a different infection from ticks)
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you or someone else has:
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A severe headache
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A stiff neck
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Pain when looking at bright lights
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A fit (seizure)
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A change in behaviour
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Sudden confusion
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Slurred speech
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Weakness in part of the body (including the face drooping on one side)
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Loss of movement in part of the body
Signs & symptoms of Tick-borne Encephalitis
Rabies symptoms typically appear within three to twelve weeks after exposure, though in some cases they may develop after just a few days—or even months or years later.
The virus attacks the nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Common symptoms include:
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Fever (high temperature)
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Headache
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Anxiety or general feeling of being unwell
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Confusion
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Difficulty swallowing or breathing
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Hallucinations
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Muscle spasms
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Frothing at the mouth
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Hyperactivity or restlessness
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Paralysis (loss of movement)
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. However, immediate treatment before symptoms develop is highly effective.
You must seek urgent medical attention if:
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You’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling
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An animal has licked your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound while abroad
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You’ve been bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK
If exposed while travelling, get medical help straight away—don’t wait until you return to the UK.
Treating Tick-borne Encephalitis
There is currently no available treatment, other than supportive treatment.
Preventing Tick-borne Encephalitis
Even if you’ve been vaccinated, it’s still important to take extra precautions to minimise your risk of tick bites — especially when spending time in areas where tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is common.
Tips to Help Prevent Tick Bites
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Regularly check your clothes and body for ticks while outdoors.
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Brush off any ticks before they have the chance to bite.
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Wear light-coloured clothing to make ticks easier to spot.
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Opt for long sleeves and trousers, and tuck trousers into socks.
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Treat your clothing with insecticides for added protection.
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Apply a DEET-based insect repellent to exposed skin.
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Stick to clearly marked paths and avoid brushing against tall grass or dense vegetation.
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Check your skin carefully after being outdoors — focus on areas like the hairline, behind the ears, elbows, backs of knees, groin, and armpits.
You can further reduce your risk of TBE by avoiding unpasteurised dairy products from areas where the virus is present.
Tick-borne Encephalitis vaccination
The tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine is given as an injection in a series of three doses. Protection for the current tick season is typically achieved after the first two doses. The second dose is usually administered one to three months after the first. If you’re short on time before travelling, speak to a travel health pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional for advice on an accelerated schedule.
Book your travel health consultation
For expert travel health advice and vaccinations, book an appointment online. It’s best to schedule your visit six to eight weeks before you travel, but even if your trip is sooner, it’s still worth seeking professional guidance.
