by mrs_alan_smith » 20 Mar 2006 20:15
oh my god,this is what it says,be afraid be very afraid..... :shock:
What is TBE?
TBE is a potentially life-threatening and debilitating viral disease of the central nervous system. Infected people could develop serious meningitis or brain inflammation.
The tick lies in wait on the underside of grasses and bushes waiting for a suitable mammal to brush against it. It grabs hold with barbs in its forelegs and looks for an area of thin, soft skin to insert the proboscis or feeding organ – contact time takes just one tenth of a second.
The victim does not feel the bite because the tick injects a toxin that anaesthetises the skin in the area. Shortly after the TBE virus enters blood circulation and spreads throughout the body.
TBE incubation is 8 to 14 days after which the onset of symptoms is generally sudden and may consist of fever, severe headache, nausea and photophobia (intolerance of light). Some individuals go on to develop meningitis.