In simple words: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a disease spread by ticks that causes swelling in the brain. It's found in some parts of Europe and Asia. You can get it from a tick bite or by drinking raw milk from infected animals. Most people have no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms. Some people get more serious problems like headaches, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, and even seizures. There's no specific medicine for TBE, so doctors focus on treating the symptoms.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection affecting the central nervous system. It is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected ticks, predominantly found in woodland habitats across parts of Europe and Asia. TBE can also be contracted through the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, particularly from infected goats, sheep or cows. The virus can manifest in two phases. The initial phase presents with non-specific symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches (myalgia), and nausea. The second phase, occurring in a subset of patients, involves neurological manifestations like meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and/or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). These can lead to a range of neurological complications, including memory problems, cognitive impairment, muscle weakness, tremors, impaired coordination, involuntary movements, and sensory disturbances like numbness or tingling.

Example 1: A hiker returning from a trip to Central Europe presents with fever, headache, and fatigue. Blood tests and a lumbar puncture confirm TBE., A child develops a stiff neck, confusion, and seizures after consuming unpasteurized goat milk while visiting family in an Eastern European country. Laboratory findings indicate TBE., A forestry worker in Siberia experiences fever, muscle aches, and nausea. After a period of apparent recovery, they develop neurological symptoms including meningitis and encephalitis. TBE is confirmed through CSF analysis.

Documentation for TBE should include details of symptom onset, travel history, potential tick exposure, physical and neurological examination findings, laboratory results (blood tests, lumbar puncture), and imaging studies (CT, MRI). Details of supportive treatment and management of complications should also be recorded.

** No specific antiviral therapy is available for TBE.Treatment is supportive, focusing on managing symptoms, including pain and fever. Prevention methods include vaccination, protective clothing and repellents and avoiding the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.