About this topic
Mosquito-borne encephalitis is caused by a virus. It can affect your brain and nervous system. Mosquitoes that pass the virus pass it on to people. You cannot get it from some other person. The virus may cause swelling of the brain. This is encephalitis. It may also cause swelling of the tissues around the brain. This is meningitis. ‚
There are many types of mosquito-borne encephalitis. They may be named for where they are often found. ‚
- Eastern equine encephalitis is also known as EEE. It is most often is found in the eastern part of the United States.
- Western equine encephalitis is also known as WEE. It is most often found in the midwest and western United States.
- St. Louis encephalitis is also known as SLE. It is more common in some parts of Canada, the Caribbean, and South America. It can also be found in most places in the United States.
- La Crosse encephalitis is also known as LACE. It is most often found in the midwest and southeast parts of the United States.
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Your care at home will be based on how sick you are. Some people are able to return to their normal life fairly quickly. Others may need more care and more time to recover.
- Avoid making major decisions until you feel well.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have muscle weakness, your doctor may send you to a physical therapist. Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and movement.
- If you have memory loss or problems with speech, your doctor may send you to an occupational or speech therapist. These kinds of therapy can help develop skills for everyday activities and help muscle control for speech.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with flu-like signs
- Help with pain and swelling
- Control seizures
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Avoid driving or running heavy machines. Ask your doctor when you can go back to your normal activities.
What problems could happen?
- Seizures
- Long-lasting brain damage that may lead to problems with:
- Memory
- Muscle control and sensation
- Speech and language
- Behavior and personality
- Eyesight
- Hearing
- Death
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Get rid of areas where mosquitoes like to breed. ‚
- Empty unused swimming pools.
- Dump out water that may collect in tires, buckets, or containers. Try to get rid of any standing water in your living area.
- Clean or unclog roof gutters.
- Clear your yard of dead trees to remove insects that live in them.
Protect yourself. ‚
- Use mosquito repellent on your skin.
- Wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs.
- Avoid unnecessary activities outside your house.
- Place wire screens in your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from coming in.
- Sleep under a mosquito net.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Seizure
- Sensitive to light
- Changes in actions
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble controlling movements
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have seizures, feel confused, or have trouble speaking.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
Eastern equine encephalitis: ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/EasternEquineEncephalitis/ ‚
Western equine encephalitis: ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/weefact.htm ‚
St. Louis encephalitis: ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/sle/ ‚
La Crosse encephalitis: ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/lac/ ‚
The Encephalitis Society ‚
http://www.encephalitis.info/information/the-illness/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚