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Tickborne Encephalitis Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Tickborne encephalitis is caused by a virus. It is also known as TBE. It affects the brain and nervous system. This illness is passed on by infected ticks. You cannot get it from some other person. The germ may cause swelling of the brain. This is called encephalitis. It may also cause swelling of the tissues around the brain. This is called meningitis. ‚  
Care for TBE depends on the signs of disease that you have. For most people, the signs often go away on their own. It is important to go to the doctor right away if you are worried about a possible case of tickborne encephalitis. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
  • Avoid making major decisions until you fully heal.
  • Your care at home will be based on any bad side effects from your illness.
    • You may need extra help moving around if you are having problems with your muscles.
    • You may need to write more things down or use other cues to help you remember if your memory is affected.
    • Talk to your doctor about tools to help you if you are having problems with seeing or hearing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have muscle weakness, your doctor may send you to a physical therapist. This can help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and movement.
  • If you have memory loss or problems with speech, your doctor may send you to occupational or speech therapists. They can help you to get skills for everyday activities and help muscle control for speech.
  • Talk therapy may also be advised to help you to learn new skills for dealing with behavioral changes and handling any problems from the encephalitis.
  • Most therapists will give you activities to practice at home. These will help you become stronger and more skilled at taking care of yourself.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with flu-like signs
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Control seizures

Will physical activity be limited?


  • You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Slowly increase your activities as ordered by your doctor.
  • Ask your doctor when you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.

What problems could happen?


Long-lasting brain damage may happen in serious cases of this illness. You may have problems with: ‚  
  • Hearing, seeing, or speaking
  • Memory
  • Muscle control and feeling
  • Changes in behavior and personality

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Talk with your doctor to see if you need a shot before you travel.
  • Avoid drinking unpasteurized or fresh milk.
  • If you see a tick on your skin, remove the tick right away. Use tweezers and remove the tick with care. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Use steady pressure and pull upward. Do not jerk or twist the tick to avoid leaving part of the tick in your skin. Save the tick in alcohol. Do not squeeze it.
  • Protect yourself from ticks.
    • Wear long pants and shirts or jackets with long sleeves.
    • Tuck pants into socks or boots.
    • Use an insect repellent when going outside.
    • The highest chance of getting infected is between April and November, when ticks are most active. Avoid getting re-infected.
  • Protect others from ticks.
    • Protect your pets from ticks by using antitick drugs or shampoos.
    • Spray insect repellent to get rid of ticks around your home.
    • Share this information with your neighbors so they can spray around their homes.
    • Clear your yard of dead trees to get rid of the insects that live in them.
    • Caution others to avoid going into the area where you were bitten.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Seizure
  • Sensitive to light
  • Changes in actions
  • Trouble speaking
  • Trouble controlling movements

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have seizures, feel confused, or have trouble speaking.

Where can I learn more?


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/TBE.htm ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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