Japanese Encephalitis is famous as JE, Russian Autumnal Encephalitis or Summer Encephalitis.
Japanese Encephalitis is a severe inflammation of the brain caused by the Japanese B Encephalitis Virus that is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes in certain areas of the world, particularly Asia.
This disorder most commonly affects children and tends to be more actively spread during the summer. Symptoms include high fever, headaches, weakness, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, personality changes, and coma, possibly leading to neurological damage or death.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually take 5-15 days to develop.
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Confusion
are some of them. Symptoms that develop later include swelling around the brain and coma. JE is a serious disease that may cause death.
Treatment
No specific treatments have been found to benefit patients with JE, but hospitalization for supportive care and close observation is generally required. Treatment is symptomatic. Rest, fluids, and use of pain relievers and medication to reduce fever may relieve some symptoms.
About 30% of patients who develop encephalitis, die. Although some symptoms improve after the acute illness, 30%-50% of survivors continue to have neurologic, cognitive, or psychiatric symptoms.
Prevention
- All travelers to Japanese encephalitis (JE) endemic areas should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites to reduce the risk for JE and other vector-borne infectious diseases. For the travelers who will be in a high-risk setting based on season, location, duration, and activities, JE vaccine can further reduce the risk for infection.
- Avoid Mosquito Bites
