How is eastern equine encephalitis diagnosed? Health care providers diagnose EEE based
on the patient’s clinical symptoms and laboratory diagnosis by testing blood or spinal fluids
, which will show if the virus or antibodies against the virus are present in the person.
How is EEE detected?
Health care providers diagnose EEE based on the
patient’s clinical symptoms and laboratory diagnosis by testing blood or spinal fluids
, which will show if the virus or antibodies against the virus are present in the person.
What are the first signs of EEE?
Severe cases of EEE infection begin with the sudden onset of
headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting
that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and coma.
How soon do symptoms of EEE appear?
It takes
4 to 10 days after the bite
of an infected mosquito to develop symptoms of EEE.
How likely is it to get EEE?
People who engage in outdoor work and recreational activities in endemic areas are at increased risk of infection. Persons over age 50 and under age 15 seem to be at greatest risk for developing severe disease when infected with EEEV. Overall, only
about 4-5% of human EEEV infections result
in EEE.
Does EEE go away on its own?
The
illness lasts 1 to 2 weeks
, and most people recover completely when there is no central nervous system involvement. Signs and symptoms of neurologic disease include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, drowsiness, and coma.
Can you get a mild case of EEE?
Most people who are bitten by an EEE-infected mosquito have
no symptoms
or only have mild, flu-like symptoms. However, if you or your loved one suddenly develop symptoms of EEE, call your doctor right away.
Should I be worried about EEE?
However, EEE is also
exceptionally dangerous
. About one in three people who become severely ill with the virus die. Severe cases occur when people develop the virus’s most fatal symptom: brain inflammation
Can you survive EEE?
There is no cure for EEE
, and 3 of every 10 people who get the disease die from it. Doctors provide supportive treatment, lower the fever, and ease the pressure on the brain and spinal cord. Some people who survive this disease will be permanently disabled and only about half recover completely.
How long after a mosquito bite does it show?
In most cases, redness and puffiness appears
minutes after the mosquito
punctures the skin. A firm, dark red bump often appears the next day, although these symptoms may occur up to 48 hours after the initial bite.
Can you get encephalitis from a mosquito bite?
What is La Crosse encephalitis? La Crosse encephalitis is a rare disease that is caused by a
virus spread by infected mosquitoes
. La Crosse encephalitis virus (LACV) is one of a group of mosquito-transmitted viruses that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
When does EEE end?
EEE cases occur primarily from
late spring through early fall
, but in subtropical endemic areas (e.g., the Gulf States), rare cases can occur in winter.
Is there a vaccine for EEE?
There’s no cure for Eastern equine encephalitis
How common is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?
EEE virus is a
rare cause of
brain infections (encephalitis). Only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. Most occur in eastern or Gulf Coast states. Approximately 30% of people with EEE die and many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems.
How do you prevent EEE virus?
There is no vaccine to prevent EEE virus infection. The best way to prevent EEE is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use
insect repellent
, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.
How fatal is triple E?
There is no treatment, and infection is
fatal in about one-third of patients
. Preliminary diagnosis is often established in patients with a combination of clinical features, findings on brain imaging, areas of residence or travel, and local epidemiology.
