WEBVTT

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The risk of a tick bite in Germany
is highest between March and November,

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in forests, meadows, parks and gardens

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particularly in the grass,
the edges of paths, bushes or undergrowth.

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Apart from a red rash, usually itchy,

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that tick bites cause
on the skin around the bite,

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ticks can also pass on diseases.

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The ticks absorbed the
pathogens responsible along with blood

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from animals, wild animals in particular,
from previous bites.

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The main diseases transmitted by ticks

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are Lyme disease
and tick-borne encephalitis.

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Lyme disease is transmitted by borrelia,

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bacteria that live
in the bowel of the tick.

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But few people bitten by an infected tick

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actually become infected
or become ill as a result.

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In Germany, about 3 out of 10,000 people
develop Lyme disease each year.

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People only become infected

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after the tick has fed
for quite a long time,

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as the bacteria have a long way to travel.

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They first have to migrate
through the tick’s intestinal wall

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into the salivary glands
and then into the wound.

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So even after a tick bite

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it is possible to avoid infection
by acting quickly:

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checking the body for ticks
soon after spending time outdoors,

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including hidden areas

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such as folds in the skin or the hairline,

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and carefully removing them
within 24 hours,

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for example
with a tick card or tick tweezers.

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Care should be taken not to crush the tick

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when removing it as this increases
the risks of transmission.

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More care and attention is required
if the tick is large

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as this means it is older and more likely
to be carrying borrelia.

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Borrelia bacteria are found
in all parts of Germany.

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Some federal states
record cases of Lyme disease

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and there are maps showing high-risk areas.

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The proportion of ticks infected
varies significantly from region to region

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and there are no reliable figures.

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However, it may be up to 30%.

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If, apart from initial irritation
around the bite,

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the skin near the bite is red

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for a few days or weeks
after you are bitten,

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it could be a sign of Lyme disease.

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It typically spreads outwards
with a ring-like appearance

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until it is more than five centimeters
in diameter.

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It is called erythema migrans
(“migrating redness” in Latin).

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However, it only occurs
in around 40% of cases

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of Lyme disease in Europe.

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Other symptoms of Lyme disease,
apart from erythema migrans

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may resemble flu symptoms
and may also occur a few weeks later:

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general signs of illness
such as a fever,

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muscle pain, headaches and fatigue,

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lymphedema or gastrointestinal problems.

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If erythema migrans or flu-like symptoms
appear

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within a few weeks of the bite,

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a doctor should be consulted.

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Lyme disease can clear up spontaneously,

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but is normally treated
with a course of antibiotics

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lasting two to four weeks
depending on the symptoms.

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It then usually goes away
without any serious complications.

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Sometimes, though,
initial treatment with antibiotics

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isn't effective enough,

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and you might need
to use different antibiotics.

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The quicker it is treated the better.

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However, administering antibiotics
as a precaution after a tick bite

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is not advisable in view
of the side effects

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and risk of developing resistance.

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In rare cases, however, people may develop
a severe form of Lyme disease

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which affects the nervous system or joints,

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particular if left untreated.

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This is then referred to
as Lyme neuroborreliosis.

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It is associated with burning
neuralgic pain in the area around the bite

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that is worse at night,

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as well as mild cranial nerve palsies

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that can manifest themselves
in different ways

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such as feelings of numbness,
visual or hearing problems,

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as well as physical paralysis,
though this is rare.

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In very rare cases
the heart may become inflamed,

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which may be indicated
by cardiac arrythmia.

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In the latter case
one delayed complication

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may be Lyme arthritis, where joints,
particularly knee joints, become inflamed.

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Chronic inflammatory skin lesions
may also occur on arms,

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legs, fingers, toes and the nose.

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Another suspected long-term complication

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is “chronic Lyme disease”
or “post-treatment Lyme disease”

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with muscle and joint problems,

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severe fatigue, difficulty concentrating
or memory problems.

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However this chronic form
is not backed up by medical facts

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and is not generally accepted
as a diagnosis.

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Unlike TBE,
there is no vaccine for Lyme disease.

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Avoiding tick bites
is the most effective protection.

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This means, for example,
taking special care in high-risk areas,

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or generally wearing suitable clothing
when hiking in forests and meadows

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such as robust footwear, long trousers

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and socks pulled up over trouser legs.

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There are also tick-specific repellents

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that can be applied
to exposed areas of skin.

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However the level and duration
of protection they provide varies

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and they are not 100% effective.

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In short:

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Ticks anywhere in Germany
may be carrying bacteria

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that can be passed on via a bite

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and cause Lyme disease.

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But not every infected tick
will cause an infection.

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In Germany, about 3 out of 10,000 people
develop Lyme disease each year.

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Symptoms include a red ring around the bite

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or flu-like symptoms that appear
within a few weeks of the bite.

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It should be treated with antibiotics

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and most of those affected
make a complete recovery.

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In rare cases, however,
it may also progress

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to a more serious form
affecting the nerves or joints.

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There is no vaccination available
for Lyme disease.

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The most reliable way to protect against it
is to avoid tick bites

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and carefully remove the tick
soon after any bite.