Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne infection that leads to swelling of the brain. It can affect the central nervous system and cause severe complications, even death.
Japanese encephalitis is caused by a bite from a mosquito infected with the virus.
Factors that may increase your chances of Japanese encephalitis:
Symptoms of Japanese encephalitis usually appear 5-15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.
Japanese encephalitis may cause:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include the following:
Imaging tests to assess the brain include:
Since there is no specific treatment for Japanese encephalitis. Care is focused on treating specific symptoms and complications.
There is a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. It is recommended for people who live or travel in certain parts of Asia and for lab workers who are at risk of exposure to the virus.
Take the following measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Japanese encephalitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/japaneseencephalitis. Accessed August 5, 2015. Accessed December 7, 2017.
Japanese encephalitis VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/je-ixiaro.html. Updated January 24, 2014. Accessed December 7, 2017.
Mosquito avoidance. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115142...squito-avoidance. Updated November 21, 2016. Accessed December 7, 2017.
Vaccine is key to preventing outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis. UNICEF website. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/immunization/india_28555.html. Accessed December 7, 2017.
Last reviewed December 2017 by EBSCO Medical Review Board David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.