Introduction

Call your doctor for immediate advice if you develop signs and symptoms of encephalitis and you have any of these conditions:

1. You have sores around the lips or genitals through contact with another person.
2. You were in wooded or forest areas and suspect mosquito bites.
3. You were visiting an area where these diseases are common, especially outside the United States.
4. You were bitten by a tick.

If you develop signs and symptoms of encephalitis and your doctor is not available, go immediately to a hospital's Emergency Department for further evaluation. Do not hesitate or decide on your own that you simply have the flu. Symptoms indicating severe illness require emergency treatment.

Self-Care at Home

Because encephalitis can cause death, seek treatment in a hospital's emergency department. Any home treatment to relieve the flu-like symptoms should be carried out according to the doctor's advice and recommendation after diagnosis.

Follow-up

It is important to follow up with your doctor after the initial treatment because certain nervous system problems can develop after what appears to be a successful initial treatment. Relapse can occur with herpes encephalitis.

Prevention to take against Encephalitis are as follows

• Take early treatment for any high fever or infections.
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to avoid ticks and mosquitoes when in forests or grassy areas.
• Use insect repellant in exposed areas of the body.
• Avoid spending a long time outdoors during dusk when insects tend to bite.
• National surveillance and control of mosquitoes through aerial spraying can keep insect populations under control.
• A Caesarian section (C-section) can be performed if the mother has active herpes lesions to protect the newborn.
• Vaccinate children against viruses that can cause encephalitis (measles, mumps).
• Japanese encephalitis can be prevented with 3 doses of the vaccine. Take precautions when traveling to areas where this strain is common.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine is NOT recommended for all travelers to Asia. It should be offered to people spending a month or longer in areas where the disease-causing mosquitoes are known to be and during the transmission season. However, travelers spending fewer than 30 days should receive the vaccine if the area is experiencing an epidemic outbreak.

The benefit of the vaccine should be weighed against the side effects and the risk of developing the disease by getting the shot. The risk of developing serious allergic reaction such as hives is low.

Special consideration should be given to the elderly and Pregnant women. The elderly have a higher chance of developing symptoms with infection. The Japanese encephalitis virus can infect the fetus and cause death. Therefore, these 2 groups should be cautious when traveling abroad.

Outlook

The outcome of the disease varies and depends on factors such as age, severity of the case, and strength of the immune system . For example, people who are HIV positive, have cancer, or other illnesses have a weaker immune system and are less able to withstand another disease. In general, those with mild cases will recover without any problems.

• The death rate for viral encephalitis can be high.
• The St. Louis encephalitis virus can cause death in up to 30% of the cases.
• Japanese encephalitis can cause death in up to 60% of the cases, usually within the first week of illness.
• In untreated cases of herpes encephalitis, 50-75% of people die within 18 months. Acyclovir (Zovirax) can increase survival up to 90%.