Lithuanian Pharmacist Warns of Common Mistakes in Tick-Borne Disease Prevention

The entire country of Lithuania is considered a risk zone for tick-borne diseases, with a significant portion of the population still not taking adequate precautions or understanding how to react if bitten. This leads to concerning numbers of infections annually.

“

Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are dangerous and can cause complex residual phenomena. In the case of tick-borne encephalitis, even prompt removal of an attached tick may not be effective if the person has not been vaccinated with all vaccines in the vaccination schedule.

Pharmacist I. Sauserytė from "Camelia" pharmacy warns that tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme disease are dangerous illnesses that can cause severe long-term effects. She notes that even prompt removal of an attached tick may not prevent TBE if a person is not fully vaccinated according to the recommended schedule. TBE virus is transmitted instantly through tick saliva, while Lyme disease bacteria are typically transmitted over a longer period as they multiply in the tick's gut.

“

Tick-borne encephalitis is transmitted through saliva, so infection can occur in an instant. Bacteria causing Lyme disease are usually transmitted over a longer period because they multiply in the tick's gut.

Sauserytė identifies five common mistakes that increase the risk of contracting these diseases. The first is avoiding or interrupting the vaccination schedule. She stresses that incomplete vaccination weakens the body's defense. A full TBE vaccination course can offer up to 98% protection. The initial three doses are crucial, followed by a booster every 3-5 years. An accelerated schedule is also available, with the second dose given two weeks after the first, providing immunity two weeks post-second dose.

“

If the full tick-borne encephalitis vaccination schedule is followed, the protection efficiency can reach up to 98%.

The second mistake is disregarding clothing rules when venturing outdoors. Sauserytė advises against wearing light, short-sleeved clothing, open shoes, or going without headwear on warm days. Instead, she recommends light-colored, close-fitting clothing that covers most of the body, long socks, higher footwear, and a hat or hood. This helps in spotting ticks before they bite. Upon returning home, a thorough body check is essential, focusing on areas like armpits, head, abdomen, groin, legs, and intimate areas, as ticks often seek locations with abundant blood vessels.

“

The most important are the first three vaccine doses: the first, then the second dose in 1–3 months, and the third 5–12 months after the second injection. Later, to maintain a high level of protection and minimize the risk of infection, one should be revaccinated with one vaccine dose every 3–5 years.