Treat Powassan Disease

If you’ve been bitten by a tick, you might be worried about health risks. Powassan virus is a rare tick-borne virus that can be transmitted by a bite. The virus affects the central nervous system. There is no treatment for the virus, so doctors will treat symptoms after diagnosing the virus based on symptoms.

Steps

Diagnosing Powassan Virus

1. Determine if you have been at risk. You may be worried about whether or not you are at risk. Powassan virus is spread through bites from infected ticks. The areas of known cases include the northeastern and Great Lakes regions of the US. You are at risk if you have been bitten by a tick in one of these areas.
   • Ticks are most active during the spring, summer, and fall. You are at the greatest risk in wooded or brushy areas.
2. Identify the symptoms. Often, Powassan virus does not present any symptoms. The symptoms that are associated with the virus include neurological problems, like memory problems, lack of coordination, confusion, problems speaking, and seizures.
   • You also may experience vomiting, fever, headache, a stiff neck, or muscle and joint aches.
3. Get blood and spinal tests. If you think you have Powassan virus, go to the doctor. They will do a physical exam and talk to you about your symptoms and recent travel and outdoor activity. If they suspect Powassan virus, they will take blood and spinal fluid samples. Then they will test these samples for antibodies consistent with the virus.
   • It may take up to two weeks to get the results.

Treating Powassan Disease

1. Go to the hospital for severe symptoms. If you begin to experience severe symptoms, such as lack of coordination, confusion, or trouble speaking, you should go to the hospital. You should also go to the hospital if you start having seizures. This could mean the Powassan disease is causing neurological problems.
   • You should also go see a doctor if you have a fever or muscle and joint aches.
2. Undergo supportive care. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or vaccine for Powassan virus. If you become infected, the doctor will treat your symptoms. This may include fluids through an IV to help with dehydration and ensure that you get proper minerals. They will give you respiratory assistance to make sure that your breathing is regulated.
   • Around 10 to 15 percent of cases of Powassan virus with encephalitis is fatal. Around half of the survivors have long-term neurological problems and complications.
3. Get medication to help with brain swelling. If you develop encephalitis because of the Powassan disease, the doctor may give you antiviral medication to treat the virus.
   • Side effects may include digestive trouble like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, along with muscle and joint pain.
4. Get plenty of rest and fluids. Some mild cases of encephalitis caused by Powassan can be treated at home with plenty of bed rest. You should also make sure that you get enough fluids, since dehydration is a major concern.

Protecting Yourself from Ticks

1. Cover yourself when outdoors. Ticks can easily get on your skin if you bump into a limb or walk through grass where they live. If possible, wear clothing that covers your skin as much as possible when outdoors. This includes long sleeves, pants, socks, and boots.
   • Some of these items may not be feasible depending on the climate or activity, but try to cover up as much as possible.
2. Walk only on cleared paths. You may enjoy walking through the woods, but make sure you stay on cleared paths. This helps reduce your risk of being exposed to ticks. Don’t wander off clear and mowed trails into tall grasses or brush. This increases your risk of exposure.
3. Use tick repellent. When you go outdoors into areas where you may be exposed to ticks, use a safe tick repellent. DEET-based tick repellents can be effective. Make sure the concentration is 20 percent or more. Place the repellent on your skin and clothing.
4. Pretreat clothing with permethrin. If you are going camping or are going to be outside in a tick-infested area for long periods of time, treat your clothing and gear with permethrin. You should treat boots, pants, socks, and tents. Do this two weeks before you wear the clothes or use the gear. Don’t reapply, and don’t put permethrin on your skin.
5. Search your body. As soon as you get back from being outdoors, check your entire body. Use a handheld or full-length mirror to check parts of your body you cannot see. Make sure to check common areas that ticks will bite you, such as under the arms, around the ears, in the navel, behind your knees, between your legs, along the waist, and in the hair.
6. Bathe after being outside. You should take a bath or shower within two hours of being outdoors in an area where you may be exposed to ticks. This can help remove ticks crawling on you and help you find any that may be on your skin.
7. Wash or tumble dry your clothes. Remove your clothes immediately when you come home. Throw them into the washing machine and use hot water. If you don’t want to wash them, place them in the dryer and leave them for at least 10 minutes on high heat.
   • If you cannot wash or dry the clothes in hot water or high heat, place the clothes in the dryer and tumble on a lower heat setting for around 90 minutes.

Sources and Citations

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