Tick-borne diseases
Diseases transmitted by tick bites pose a threat to health, with Borrelia and TBE (tick-born encephalitis) as two important examples in Denmark. While both diseases have ticks as spreaders of infection, they differ markedly in their prevention and treatment.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
TBE is caused by a virus that spreads through tick bites. Symptoms of TBE can vary from asymptomatic to flu-like symptoms, followed by potentially serious neurological complications. While most infected people go through a mild course, one can a third develop encephalitis, which can cause permanent damage or in worst case be fatal, especially among the elderly.
Borrelia
Borrelia, on the other hand, is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, and shows often say as one characteristic red, annular skin rash (erythema migrans) around the tick bite. Symptoms
may vary from skin rash, fever, fatigue and headache to neurological problems and joint problems with potentially serious coimplications, if the disease not treated timely with antibiotics.
There are different subtypes of Borrelia burgdorferi. In Denmark, Borrelia afzelii is primarily seen and Borrelia garinii, the former of which is most often associated with skin symptoms, while the latter can affect the central nervous system. In the United States, the dominant subtype is Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, which primarily results in joint inflammation.
What is the difference between Borrelia and TBE?
A decisive difference between the two diseases lies in prevention and treatment. While there there is a vaccine against TBE, there is no direct vaccination against Borrelia. Prevention of tick bites are essential for both diseases, but since Borrelia can be effectively treated with
antibiotics, is the importance of early detection and removal of the tick. One of the most effective methods to prevent tick bites are to avoid areas with a high tick population, especially in forests, thickets and tall vegetation.
When walking in these areas, it is important to wear clothing that covers you as much as possible of the body, such as long trousers and long-sleeved shirts, as well as closed shoes or boots. In addition, the use of insect repellents on exposed skin areas can contribute to
reduce the risk of tick bites.
After outdoor activities, it is important to look at the body through and remove ticks as soon as possible, as the risk of disease transmission increases the longer the tick stays on the body. Particular attention should be paid to areas such as knees, groin, armpits and hairline, where ticks tend to sit.
English (UK) 
Dansk