St. Louis encephalitis
St. Louis encephalitis (pronunciation: Saint-Loo-iss en-sef-uh-LY-tis) is a disease caused by the St. Louis encephalitis virus, a member of the Flavivirus genus. The virus is named after the city of St. Louis, Missouri, where it was first identified in 1933.
Etymology
The term "encephalitis" comes from the Greek words enkephalos (brain) and -itis (inflammation), indicating an inflammation of the brain. The prefix "St. Louis" is derived from the city where the virus was first identified.
Symptoms
The symptoms of St. Louis encephalitis can range from mild to severe and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. In severe cases, symptoms may progress to include stiff neck, confusion, paralysis, coma, and even death.
Transmission
St. Louis encephalitis is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus is maintained in a cycle between mosquitoes and birds. Humans and other mammals can become infected when bitten by an infected mosquito, but they do not contribute to the transmission cycle.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of St. Louis encephalitis is typically based on clinical symptoms and confirmed through laboratory testing. This may include testing of blood or cerebrospinal fluid for antibodies to the virus.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for St. Louis encephalitis. Care is supportive and may include hospitalization, respiratory support, and prevention of secondary infections.
Prevention
Prevention of St. Louis encephalitis primarily involves controlling mosquito populations and avoiding mosquito bites.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on St. Louis encephalitis
- Wikipedia's article - St. Louis encephalitis
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