How to avoid severe consequences of binding mite

City – all year round

Recent epidemiological data indicate that in recent years, ticks have become more active, and their distribution zone in Kaunas County and the whole country is rapidly extensive: not only in forests or meadows, but also in urban green spaces, parks, gardens, even home yards. Thus, these parasites can be lined with people and animals in a living environment.

Specialists note that warming climate and softening winters allow ticks to remain active longer, which increases the population and at the same time the risk of developing tick -borne encephalitis or Lyme disease.

« From 2022, we register tick -borne encephalitis throughout the year – from January to December. In previous monitoring periods, the first cases were usually recorded in March or April, and the last in November, » said

The negative trends, according to the interlocutor, continue to remain: the number of bite cases increases every year, and the incidence of tick -borne diseases increases accordingly.

NVSC data show that in 2024, compared to previous years, the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis alone increased by as much as 62 %. – 81 cases of disease (165 in Kaunas County) were recorded. 2023 These figures were significantly lower: 50 in Kaunas and 140 in Kaunas County.

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« The area of ​​endemic tick -borne diseases has been considered Lithuania for many years. However, we have previously distinguished certain places where the risk of ticks or infections in their disease is greater or lower, and now it has been difficult to name where it can be avoided.

We start monitoring the abundance of ticks from spring. Earlier in early March, we did not detect the so -called inpatient ticks during the first departures, and this year after a light winter we found them abundantly. So you have to be guarded without waiting – now, ”stressed R. Gabrielaitė.

Vaccines are best protected

The worsening situation due to the growing threat of dangerous diseases is reasonably concerned with public health professionals, medical and residents themselves.

Still through the Covid-19 pandemia, the activation of tick-borne encephalitis was observed. Public health professionals assume that such prophylaxis has pushed people to be more in nature. Since then, these vaccines have become one of the most in demand and have so far leading popularity among all paid vaccinations.

Prophylaxis: E. Tamašauskienė, a physician at Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic and LUHS, says that quite good immunity to tick -borne encephalitis is formed after the first two doses of vaccine, and after the third dose immunity is completely formed. Photo by partner

« Public awareness is increasing. When working in the hospital inpatient inpatient patients with uncertain fever syndrome, we constantly ask if they are vaccinated against tick -borne encephalitis.

If there weren’t, there would be much more severe cases and painful consequences. Every year, there are cases where severe illnesses end in death – we lose people, ”said Estela Tamašauskienė, an infectologist at Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU).

According to infectious diseases doctors, quite good immunity against tick -borne encephalitis is formed after the first two doses of the vaccine, when the person may feel quite safe, and after the third dose of immunity is completely formed.

Since September last year, people aged 50-55 have been vaccinated with public funds. More and more residents of this age take advantage of the opportunity to revise for free three or five years after previous vaccinations.

Free vaccine for older ones

Depending on the vaccination plan chosen – fast or conventional – the first two doses can be vaccinated within 7 to 14 days or may be 1-3 months between them. Accordingly, the booster dose is 5 to 12 months later. Subsequently, it should be revised every three or five years, depending on the type of vaccine and the age of the patient. Children have been vaccinated from one year.

« The vaccine is very effective. This is especially true for people who over 50 years of age and older – they can be very difficult. Disease doctor E. Tamašauskienė.

The interlocutor recalls that since September last year, public funds have been taken to vaccinate persons aged 50-55. More and more residents of this age take advantage of the opportunity to revise for free three or five years after previous vaccinations.

Immunity is formed by about 98 percent. patients. The remaining several percent may include individual cases due to certain characteristics of the body, as well as oncological people who are subject to chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases with hormones or other medicines, as well as HIV -infected or dialysis patients.

E. Tamašauskienė, a doctor of infectious diseases, notes that the practice of organizing collective vaccination on the initiative of the employer will take effect in various companies and organizations. This protects working in the woods, as well as soldiers and other potentially at higher risk related areas.

After the bite – the month’s monitoring

Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic Medics and Public Health Specialists unanimously advise people to remember again the basic principles: use repellents on skin and clothes, wear headgear, long -fitting sleeves, pants to socks or shoes. It is best to wear a light colored outfit to clearly see creeping mites.

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However, even this does not guarantee comprehensive protection. When returning from the field, you must carefully look at the ticks that are sucked in. It is advisable to help children, older homemakers. Four -legged pets also need to be focused.

Still, what to do when mite sucked? First of all, it is important not to panic. The mite should be removed by arrest as close as possible to the skin and ducturized with sudden motion. The wound can remain a part of the tick – it is not dangerous and usually removes itself. The affected area should be disinfected.

« Patients are still mistakenly rushing to investigate almost the same day. We certainly do not recommend it. Immediately after the tick bite, the antibodies do not occur in the body, so research in the laboratory will not show anything. Jacikė.

Živilė Jacikė. Photo by partner

If no symptoms of influenza or colds occur within 28 days and the bite site does not see the rash at the site of the bite, it is not worth the insistence. However, if you have a sense of well-being, the temperature rises, the chills or other characteristic symptoms, if the flu and Covid-19 test are negative, it is suggested that you consult your infectologist immediately.

Lyme disease is characterized by the so -called Taurus eye – the target similar to a diameter of about 5 cm and above, the bite of the tick bite may appear after about 10 days.

Wide spectrum of research

Ž. According to Jacikė, the Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic Laboratory can offer a wide range of research. Services for patients are conveniently accessible to any branches of the institution: “We carry out both Lyme disease antibodies and confirming immunoblot tests to maximize and reliable results.

Head of Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic Ž. Jacikė: We are alienating both Lyme disease antibodies and confirmed immunoblot tests to maximize the results. Photo by partner

Many patients from Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic have already appreciated this, but there have been many asking why our research or vaccinations cost less than elsewhere, although we use the same vaccines and often even more advanced methods. But high quality standards speak for themselves. In accordance with the orders of the Minister of Health, unlike private bodies, we provide outpatient services without a profit. ”

Here, it adds about the possibility of investigating the mite itself whether it is infected. Such a procedure is more useful when the parasite sucks in newborns or babies under one year: « Before bringing the mite to the laboratory, the refrigerator should be stored in the refrigerator, if you can’t bring it right away. Nothing if you can pull out only a part of it. »

The study of postponement antibodies that protect against tick -borne encephalitis is less frequent. It is relevant to those who have been vaccinated in the past and did not follow the exact vaccination schedule. This allows you to find out the current level of protection – the amount of antibodies in the body. Correspondingly, the indicators are determined whether the whole immunoprophylaxis is to start again or continue the vaccination plan.

Health experts emphasize that with the rapid growth of mites and threats, conscious behavior of people, timely prevention and operational reaction will allow you to safely enjoy the pleasures of the warm season in the open air.

Vaccination

Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic takes care of the most effective protection from tick -borne encephalitis would be ensured for everyone and as favorable as possible. Vaccination for patients who signed up for the institutions of the institution costs most of the city – barely EUR 23.93 for the vaccine for children and € 24.88 – adults. The vaccine is used Ticovac Suitable for different age groups. Inquire about its availability in the unit of their choice can Kaunas residents in the general outpatient clinic: +370 37 403 900.