Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Identifying the Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis
• Part 2 of 2: Preventing Japanese Encephalitis
• Tips
• A warning

Japanese encephalitis is a viral, infectious, inflammatory disease that affects the brain. Japanese encephalitis is mosquito-borne and is common in many rural areas of Asia. Mosquitoes bite infected animals and birds, and then people, as a result of which the disease is transmitted to them. A viral infection cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another. Most infected people experience only mild flu-like symptoms, but some cases require urgent medical attention. It can be difficult to detect the symptoms of Japanese encephalitis, but infected people (mainly children) should be closely monitored and immediate action should be taken if their condition worsens.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Identifying the Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis

1. 1 Watch for mild flu-like symptoms. In most infected people, Japanese encephalitis (JE) does not manifest at all or is accompanied by minor and short-term symptoms that are similar to the flu: fever (but not very high), fatigue, headache, and sometimes vomiting.Typically, Japanese encephalitis is very difficult to recognize, as in most cases it either causes no symptoms or resembles other mild infectious diseases.
   • It is estimated that less than 1% of those infected with the JE virus show noticeable symptoms.
   • For those who do develop symptoms, the incubation period (the time from infection until signs of illness appear) usually takes 5-15 days.
2. 2 Pay attention to the heat. Although most cases of JE infection are silent or with mild symptoms, in about 1 in 250 cases, JE infection results in a serious deterioration, which often begins with a high fever. Fever serves as a defense mechanism in the body and aims to slow down or stop the spread of viruses (or bacteria). However, when the temperature is markedly higher than 39 ° C in adults or 38 ° C in children, there is a risk of brain damage. High fever and brain inflammation caused by the JE virus can lead to other serious and life-threatening symptoms.
   • After the onset of the severe symptoms of Japanese encephalitis, which usually occurs in children with weakened immune systems, the chance of death is about 30%.
   • In the case of mild forms of JE, the body temperature may rise by one degree Celsius, but in the acute form, it can rise by three or more degrees.
3. 3 Note the stiffness of the neck. As with other infections that affect the brain and / or back (such as meningitis), Japanese encephalitis can develop a stiff neck. At the same time, the mobility of the neck is sharply reduced, and it becomes difficult to turn or tilt the head. Particularly sharp, piercing and electric shock-like pain is caused by tilting the head forward (trying to touch the chin to the chest).
   • When the spinal cord is inflamed, the surrounding muscles tense up in an attempt to protect it - this is called protective fixation or muscle stiffness. As a result, touching the muscles in the neck causes pain, and the condition looks like these muscles are cramped.
   • Medication, massage, or manipulation by a chiropractor will not relieve neck stiffness from Japanese encephalitis, meningitis, or other infections that affect the central nervous system.
4. 4 Pay attention to mental and behavioral changes. Inflammation of the brain and high fever lead to mental changes such as disorientation, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and even inability to speak. This is often accompanied by changes in behavior: increased irritability and / or lack of self-control, avoidance of human society and social contacts are observed.
   • If more severe symptoms occur, they usually appear after a few days.
   • Mental and behavioral changes in acute JE often resemble a stroke or Alzheimer's disease.
5. 5 Take a closer look at the neurological damage. If JE becomes severe, characterized by high fever and progressive edema, neurons in the brain are damaged and killed. In this case, neurological symptoms such as tremors (tremors) of the extremities, muscle weakness or paralysis, difficulties with walking and holding objects, decreased coordination of movements (an impression of clumsiness) begin to appear.
   • Muscle weakness and paralysis usually begins in the limbs (arms and legs) and gradually spreads throughout the body; sometimes the muscles of the face are the first to be affected.
   • Of those who survive acute JE (approximately 70% of all acute cases), about 1/4 develop persistent neurological and / or behavioral problems and disabilities.
6. 6 Get ready for seizures. The development of an acute form of JE inevitably leads to seizures, which are caused by cerebral edema, high fever, and electrical rupture / discharge of brain neurons. Seizures include complete collapse, tremors, muscle spasms, clenching of the jaw, and sometimes vomiting or foaming at the mouth.
   • Encephalitis seizures may resemble epilepsy, but they are much more dangerous due to brain damage.
   • Children with encephalitis have more seizures than adults because their smaller brains are more susceptible to pressure and heat.
   • During a seizure, loss of consciousness and falling into a coma are possible.

Part 2 of 2: Preventing Japanese Encephalitis

1. 1 Get vaccinated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the safest and most effective way to prevent Japanese encephalitis is to get it vaccinated. Currently, there are 4 main types of JE vaccines: inactivated vaccine grown in mouse brain cells, inactivated vaccine grown in Vero cell culture, live attenuated vaccine, and live recombinant vaccine. Get vaccinated at least 6-8 weeks before your trip to Asia so that your body can build up protective antibodies.
   • The most common JE vaccine is the live attenuated vaccine SA14-14-2, manufactured in China.
   • Japanese encephalitis is most common in rural areas of Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. If you are going to visit these places, get vaccinated to reduce the risk of illness.
   • The Japanese encephalitis vaccination course can consist of several doses that are administered over several weeks or months.
   • Be aware that, in some cases, vaccination can cause or worsen encephalitis (regardless of the type of vaccine) due to an allergic reaction to the ingredients in the vaccine.
2. 2 Avoid mosquito bites. Another way to protect yourself from JE is to protect yourself from mosquito bites, since mosquitoes are the main vector of the disease. Therefore, stay away from standing water where mosquitoes usually breed, and be sure to use a mosquito repellent that contains diethyltoluamide or DEET (Off !, Cutter, Sawyer, Ultrathon). Also, protect your sleeping area with a mosquito net (or other canopy) and try not to go outside during the dark when mosquitoes are most active.
   • Most insect repellents last up to 6 hours, and some are water resistant.
   • DEET products should not be used on children under two months of age.
   • Lemon and eucalyptus oils can be used as natural insect repellents.
   • Protection from mosquito bites while traveling will also reduce the risk of other serious infectious diseases such as malaria and West Nile fever.
3. 3 Wear protective clothing. In addition to insect repellent and a mosquito net, suitable protective clothing should be worn when visiting Asia, especially in rural areas. Wear long-sleeved shirts and thin cotton gloves (popular in many Asian countries) to cover your arms completely. When you go outside, wear long trousers with socks and closed shoes on your feet, especially if you have to move in swampy and overgrown areas.
   • Asia is warm and humid for most of the year, so choose lightweight clothing that will keep you warm.
   • Keep in mind, however, that mosquitoes can bite through thin fabrics, so spray your clothing with insect repellent. Do not use repellents that contain permethrin on your skin.
4. 4 Avoid unnecessary risks. Try to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and encephalitis by staying in tents or taking long hikes, bicycles, or motorcycles.This is usually done in rural areas, where the risk of infection is especially high. Travel in closed modes of transport (tourist buses) and wear protective clothing as described above.
   • If you do need to spend the night in rural Asia, cover the sleeping area tightly with an awning or mosquito net that has been impregnated with strong insect repellent.
   • If you are in the countryside, try to stay in hotels, the windows and doors of which are tightly covered with mosquito nets.
5. 5 Don't visit Asia. Another, rather drastic, method is not to visit countries where Japanese encephalitis is common - that is, in fact, most countries in Asia. This tip is suitable for casual tourists who have nothing to do with Asia. However, many have to visit Asian countries for family or professional business. In fact, the risk of infection is extremely low - it is estimated that fewer than one in a million people who visit Asia fall ill with Japanese encephalitis in a year.
   • A more practical tip is to avoid rural areas when visiting Asia, especially those with cattle and pigs and cows.
   • People are at greatest risk of contracting JE, especially children under 15 who live and work in rural areas where the disease is prevalent.
   • If you have a choice, try not to visit Asian countries during the rainy seasons (the period of the year depends on the specific region), when the number of mosquitoes is maximum and they pose a serious threat.

Tips

• Japanese encephalitis is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia.
• The incubation period for Japanese encephalitis is usually 5-15 days.
• Japanese encephalitis is most common in rural rather than urban areas.
• In some cases, people with Japanese encephalitis are given anticonvulsants to prevent seizures and corticosteroids to reduce cerebral edema.
• About 75% of JE infections occur in children under 15 years of age.
• The World Health Organization estimates that there are about 68,000 cases of Japanese encephalitis every year around the world.
• There is no antiviral agent that cures Japanese encephalitis. For acute JE, supportive therapies such as hospitalization, assisted breathing, and intravenous injections are used.

A warning

• Infection with Japanese encephalitis during pregnancy can lead to intrauterine infection and fetal death.