التهاب الدماغ الفيروسي الذي ينقله البعوض

أسباب

The most common cause is being bitten by an infected mosquito. There are other, rarer causes, such having a blood transfusion with infected blood.

عوامل الخطر

The greatest risk factors are spending time in areas where mosquitoes are present and not using insect repellent.

People who are age 50 years and older and those with a weakened immune system have a higher risk of developing serious symptoms.

الأعراض

Most people who become infected with one of these mosquito-borne viruses do not develop any symptoms.

If symptoms do occur, they are generally mild and may include flu-like symptoms, such as:

• الصداع
• حمى
• قشعريرة
• تعب
• آلام المفاصل والعضلات
• القيء

While rare, a small percentage of people develop encephalitis and have serious, life-threatening symptoms, such as:

• ارتفاع درجة الحرارة
• الارتباك
• فقدان البصر
• الشلل
• النوبات
• غيبوبة

التشخيص

بالإضافة إلى أخذ تاريخك الطبي وإجراء الفحص البدني، سيسألك طبيبك عما يلي:

• ما نوع الأعراض التي تعاني منها
• المكان الذي كنت تعيش فيه أو تسافر إليه
• ما إذا كنت قد تعرضت للبعوض

A blood test is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis of a mosquito-borne virus. Depending on the symptoms that you have, your doctor may order other tests, such as:

• فحص التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي – اختبار يستخدم الموجات المغناطيسية لالتقاط صور للهياكل داخل الرأس
• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses computers to make pictures of structures inside the head
• تحليل السائل النخاعي

العلاج

Treatment focuses on supportive care, such as taking pain relieving medicines and replenishing fluids so that you are not dehydrated.

Severe symptoms require hospitalization, which may include:

• التهوية الميكانيكية (دعم التنفس)
• Fluids given intravenously (through a vein in your arm)
• دواء للسيطرة على النوبات
• دواء لتقليل تورم الدماغ

الوقاية

The best way to reduce your chances of getting mosquito-borne viral encephalitis is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Steps that can help include:

• Limiting outside activities where mosquitoes are present
• Wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
• Using bug repellent that contains DEET
• Emptying sources of standing water around the home, such as bird baths and gutters, where mosquitoes may breed
• Repairing screens on your windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from getting into your house

Mosquitoes can contract viruses by biting infected birds. If you see a dead bird, call the public health department. Do not touch the dead bird unless you are wearing disposable gloves.