Eastern equine encephalitis

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?

Восточный лошадиный энцефалит – опасная инфекция, which spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. Currently, Eastern Equine Encephalitis is rare, but the disease can occur very hard and, in some cases, fatal.

Causes of eastern equine encephalitis

Eastern equine encephalitis is caused by a virus, which enters the human blood.

Risk factors for eastern equine encephalitis

Наибольшие факторы риска восточного лошадиного энцефалита – нахождение в районах массового скопления комаров, eg, around ponds and swamps.

Risk factors for symptoms of dangerous eastern equine encephalitis include:

• Age: senior 50 or younger 15 years;
• The presence of the disease, which weakens the immune system.

Symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis

Most people, Eastern equine encephalitis patients, does not have any noticeable symptoms.

If symptoms, they may appear through 4-10 days after infection and include:

• Headache;
• Stiff neck;
• Fever;
• Chills;
• Fatigue;
• Joint and muscle pain;
• Vomiting.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis can lead to more serious, life-threatening symptoms of inflammation of the brain, such as changes in mental status, weakness, numbness, paralysis, cramps and coma.

Diagnosis of eastern equine encephalitis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. Questions may include the following:

• Where do you live or whether you are traveling in the recent past?
• How long have you encountered mosquitoes?

To confirm the diagnosis of eastern equine encephalitis commonly used blood or cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Tests to take pictures of internal organs and structures of the body may include:

• MRT;
• Computed tomography of the head.

Treatment of eastern equine encephalitis

Treatment of eastern equine encephalitis is focused on maintenance therapy. Severe symptoms require hospitalization, during which may be used:

• Respiratory care (breathing support);
• Intravenous fluids and electrolytes;
• Medicines, to control seizures;
• Procedures, to reduce brain edema.

Prevention of eastern equine encephalitis

To reduce the likelihood of disease eastern equine encephalitis:

• Stay indoors, when mosquitoes are most active (at dawn and dusk);
• Repair windows and doors, to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house;
• Use a mosquito net at night, and insecticide-treated rooms in the house;
• Being on the street, Apply repellents to the skin, Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.