As you know, the tick bite threatens the potential danger of infection with various infections. One of the diseases that can develop after a bite is tick-borne encephalitis. This pathology is characterized by high temperature, intoxication, damage to the tissues of the brain and spinal cord, often causes serious complications.
Methods of preventing encephalitis
As a preventive measure for people at increased risk of infection, it is recommended to vaccinate according to a special scheme that promotes the formation of immunity to tick-borne encephalitis virus. After vaccination, the risk of getting sick is reduced by 95%, and if the disease does develop, it will proceed in mild form.
There is another way to prevent the disease, which is used after the tick bite, - the introduction of immunoglobulin. This means allows to avoid tick-borne encephalitis in unprivileged people, and can also be used to treat it or prevent the disease before a likely "encounter" with mites. It is worth noting that this immunoglobulin can not be protected from other diseases carried by mites (borreliosis, recurrent tick-borne typhoid, etc.).
What is anti-fungal immunoglobulin?
Immunoglobulin, used for tick bites, is a preparation in the form of a solution containing antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus. Produce it from the tested donor blood of people previously vaccinated against this infection.
The active substance of the agent is able to neutralize the tick-borne encephalitis virus and enhance the nonspecific resistance of the organism. The drug is injected intramuscularly into the gluteus muscle or the external region of the thigh. The dose of immunoglobulin at the tick bite depends on the weight of the patient. So, for the purpose of prevention, medication is administered at the rate of 0.1 ml per 1 kg of body weight.
Side effects after the administration of immunoglobulin
The administration of the drug may lead to the following undesirable reactions:
- hyperemia and pain in the area of injection;
- increased body temperature;
- allergic reactions (from hives to anaphylactic shock ).
Contraindications immunoglobulin at a tick bite
This drug should not be administered to people who have previously experienced severe allergic reactions with blood products. Those who suffer from allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, food allergies, etc.) anti-malignant immunoglobulin can be administered only against the background of taking antihistamines. Patients with systemic diseases are prescribed medication on the background of appropriate therapy.
Immunoglobulin with tick bite and alcohol
After the introduction of immunoglobulin, it is strictly prohibited to drink alcohol, which increases the risk of serious side effects.
Does immunoglobulin help with tick bite?
As already mentioned, the introduction of immunoglobulin with a tick bite can prevent only the development of tick-borne encephalitis. Moreover, there is one more nuance - the drug is most effective when it is applied within 24 hours after the bite and is absolutely useless for the prevention of the disease four days after the tick sucking. Such an emergency prevention is not considered effective enough by all specialists. In addition, there is evidence that in people still infected with tick-borne encephalitis after injection of immunoglobulin, the disease often occurs in severe form. In connection with this, as well as possible side effects and some other factors, in European countries this drug is not used today.