Japanese Encephalitis - Medtick
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Japanese Encephalitis

What is it?

A viral infection passed from animals (pigs) and birds to humans via Culex mosquitoes causing inflammation of the brain leading to brain dysfunction, brain damage and can be fatal.

  • Most people experience mild symptoms, those who are vulnerable are:
    • Those with a weak immune system.
    • Travellers who are on short trips including repeated visits (in non-urban areas longer than a month) and spend significant times outdoor especially during the evening and at night or stay in accommodation without bed nets or screens.
  • It can take from five to fifteen days to develop symptoms from being bitten.

It occurs in world regions of:

  • South East Asia
  • Far East
  • Pacific Islands
  • Common in areas of pig farms and rice fields and occurs more during rain season of country

Countries affected are:

Asia

  • Pakistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • North Korea
  • Laos
  • Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah)
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • India
  • Japan
  • Philippines
  • South Korea (Korea, Republic of Korea)
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Timor-Leste
  • Vietnam

Australasia and Pacific

  • Australia
  • Papua New Guinea
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you. Do not give Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs in chicken pox (without medical advice) and dengue.

Cause

  • Virus: Flavivirus
  • Areas of rice farming and flood irrigation

Symptoms

Initial symptoms:

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Sore throat for longer than seven days or more?
  • Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Diarrhoea?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • Confused, loss of consciousness, drowsy?
  • Seizures?
  • Dislike to lights (photophobia)?
  • Can’t speak?
  • Stiff neck?
  • Irritated, aggressive?
  • Can’t control movement?
  • Speech difficulties?
  • Shaking, stiffness, can’t move muscles/limbs?

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Japanese Encephalitis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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