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Tick Born Encephalitis

Tick Born Encephalitis – symptoms and treatment (2023)

Tick Born Encephalitis (TBE) is a disease of the central nervous system caused by a virus. This can affect humans and is transmitted from ticks. The disease must not be confused with Lyme disease. The disease is not contagious between people.

Through our self-service form, you can get a prescription for the TBE vaccine: answer some medical questions and the doctor will review your answers within 15 minutes. You will then receive an SMS with information on where you can get the vaccine.

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Who should take the TBE-vaccine?

Ticks occur mainly in coastal and valley areas with deciduous forests, scrub, and lush undergrowth in areas where the winters are not too long and cold. People who will be traveling in forests and fields in endemic areas, such as Eastern Europe or southern Norway, should consider vaccination. If you are in doubt, ask your doctor for advice.

The vaccine can be given to adults and children over one year of age. Vaccination should preferably be avoided during pregnancy or simultaneous breastfeeding but can be given if the benefits are considered to outweigh the disadvantages.

You do not need/should not take the vaccine if you;

  • have had the disease, then passing infection naturally provides long-term protection. However, it is not harmful to take the vaccine even if you have had the disease.
  • have a known allergy to the ingredients or have a fever.
  • have already been subject to exposure, for example from a tick bite.
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How Dr. Dropin can help you

Through a self-service prescription, you can get a prescription for the TBE vaccine, and take it in one of our partner pharmacies. The price for the prescription is NOK 295, as well as approx. NOK 200 for setting the vaccine. You can read more about vaccination in pharmacies here.

The TBE vaccine is not part of the vaccination program and patients pay for the vaccines themselves. Each dose costs approx. NOK 370

We do not have TBE available in our clinics, but after ordering a prescription and picking it up at a pharmacy, you can also choose to have it placed in a clinic for NOK 695.

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The doctor writes the prescription

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Occurrence of TBE

TBE is relatively uncommon, and in the period between 1994 and 2020, 238 cases were registered in Norway. All the cases were reported in coastal municipalities in Agder, Vestfold, and Telemark. These are so-called endemic areas. The disease is more widespread in Eastern Europe. Most of the infection takes place in the months of April-September.

It takes around 14 days from the time of infection until the disease develops. The disease is often mild in children but can have a serious course with disabling sequelae (late injuries) in adults and the elderly. Someone dies. Vaccines will protect against the disease.

Symptoms of TBE

The course of the disease is divided into two phases;

  • 1st phase: Influenza-related illness with fatigue, muscle pain, fever, and reduced general condition. Headaches and dizziness are not uncommon. This lasts for 4-7 days. In 70% of those infected, symptoms regress and people recover. For the remaining 30%, the disease develops into second phase.
  • 2nd phase: The person may experience a new episode of fever and, in addition, symptoms from the central nervous system. This can be; increased headache, vomiting, change in mental status, movement disorders, vomiting, and in severe cases paralysis and speech difficulties. These patients need treatment in the specialist health service.

The diagnosis is confirmed with blood tests or a sample from cerebrospinal fluid.

How does the vaccination take place?

The vaccine is injected into the upper arm, a so-called intramuscular injection. To achieve long-term immunity, 3 doses are required. A minimum of 1 month and preferably no more than 3 months should elapse between the first two doses. One expects to have sufficient immunity for one season after 2 vaccines. The last dose is given 5-12 months after the second. After 3 doses, 95% of those vaccinated will be protected against TBE for 3 years. After 3 years, the vaccination regimen can be repeated.

It is recommended to start the vaccination well in advance of the season to achieve 2 doses. If rapid immunization is needed, individual assessments can be made about the interval between the first 2 doses.

The vaccine is well tolerated and no serious side effects have been documented. After vaccination, you may have mild symptoms such as:

  • local reaction at the injection site with slight pain and redness
  • fatigue and low-grade fever

The side effects return after 1-3 days.

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Author: Doctor Kari Madeleine G Hilde

Last updated: 04/05/2023

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