We learned so many interesting things at the Fulbright Orientation in Vienna last week. One in particular, however, made the hair stand up on the back of our necks and us sit up in rapt attention.
The presenter said, “In a few weeks, you will see giant billboards appearing all over Austria, with the words KILLER TICKS on them. Take them seriously.”
What he was referring to were two diseases prevalent here in Europe: Lyme Disease and Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE). Lyme disease we know about and surely do not want to contract. Yet, if one fails in prevention and notices the tell-tale red bulls-eye, then at least there are quickly administered antibiotics.
Not so with TBE! I don’t even want to think about the ramifications, but as the doctor we saw today said, “It is not pretty.”
Of course, it’s not as much a problem if one lives in the middle of Vienna or Graz. However, remember where we live? We live in the middle of the woods! We walk through the woods to get to the streetcar stop. We love hiking around the woods looking for birds. Yup, prime candidates we are for this scourge. According to the Traveler’s Health Yellow Book website some key characteristics are:
Transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick of the Ixodes species, primarily I. ricinus (European subtype) or I. persulcatus (Siberian and Far Eastern subtypes). The virus is maintained in discrete areas of deciduous forest where both the tick vectors and animal hosts (mainly rodents) are found.
The highest incidences are reported in Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Most cases occur during April–November, with peaks in early and late summer when ticks are active.
The incidence and severity of disease are highest in persons >50 years of age.
I can’t begin to tell you how happy all of this made me! I love nature, but there is one critter that I have never been able to summon one shred of appreciation, even Darwinian respect, for and that is THE TICK! Perhaps this has something to do with growing up in the woods of Virginia and regularly picking ticks off self and dogs; or finding seed ticks that had hatched IN OUR HOUSE in Nevada after our dog (who’d never had tick one) had been boarded at a commercial kennel, or knowing several friends who’ve had the unfortunate encounter with Lyme Disease.
Still, there is help here in Austria. You get vaccinated in advance for the TBE. And it is so easy! Merely go into any Apotheka (Pharmacy) and ask for the vaccine over the counter. That is assuming you can make yourself understood. Bill tried to pick up the first two doses for us (administered in 3 doses, first two of which we will get) at the corner Apotheka near the University. He even used the right words, he thought, but the pharmacist looked at him and said “Diabetes?” Fortunately another customer knew his meaning and helped him out!
the vaccine comes with a little picture of a tick on the box--that's how we knew we had the right stuff!
Then, you can either administer the vaccine yourself, (no way) or you can find a doctor who will administer the vaccine for you!
KEIN PROBLEM! Fortunately, at the Fulbright Meeting, we were also given an website link to find doctors who speak English here in Austria. One was on our street car line, at the other end of the city, but easily reached. I called the office last week, began in German and switched to English to transmit the important details. Bingo. Off we went today to see die Ärztin (female doctor, general practitioner) at 10 AM.
ringing in at the doctor's office--the sign says "Arzt"
So, most places you go, as in official offices or buildings, require a ring-in to be able to get in. We had to ring in three times at different points to reach the Fulbright Office in Vienna and once here for the doctor. The office waiting room was fairly full, and spartan by US standards. Just simple wooden chairs, a coat rack and some magazines for browsing. The reception area was in another room altogether, to insure privacy. (US medical establishment, take note!)
The receptionists couldn’t have been more helpful. We tried a little German and they tried a lot of English, and very well at that. We only waited maybe 5 minutes once seated back in the waiting room, when the call for Familie Woessner (with the real pronunciation of that name!) came ringing out. We almost missed it!
We went back in…no exam room…and met the doctor in her office, who stood up and shook our hands and we had a good discussion about ticks. No side effects from the vaccine, and next time, she will provide the vaccine which is cheaper at her office. (Oh my gosh, USA medical community, are you listening?)
Then she gave us the vaccines. She, herself. No nurses. She explained that nurses in Austria are well trained but perhaps not legally able to give shots, so the doctors do it. We found the whole experience completely painless and so interesting. We return in two weeks to get round # 2. (we are getting the ‘rapid immunization, as we are just on the cusp of tick emergence here!) If we can acquire round #3, and have it administered in the US, then we will be protected for about 3 years.
I still plan to watch birds, walk through the woods, and enjoy living in the beautiful Hilmteich. But forewarned is forearmed.
Now, where is my can of DEET?
stay away, keep out! this means YOU!