Definition

St. Louis encephalitis is an infection from a mosquito. It can range from mild to life-threatening.

The Central Nervous System Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

St. Louis encephalitis is caused by a virus. It is spread to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus is not spread from person to person.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of St. Louis encephalitis are:

• Older age
• Living in or visiting the southern, central, or western US, especially during summer and fall

Symptoms

St. Louis encephalitis can cause a wide range of symptoms. However, sometimes there are no symptoms. The disease can be mild, severe, or even fatal.

Symptoms may be:

• Fever
• Headache or stiff neck
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Uncontrolled body movements
• Loss of control of muscles
• Confusion, lack of responsiveness, or coma

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Blood tests are usually used to diagnose the virus.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for St. Louis encephalitis. Treatment depends on how severe the disease is. The goal is to manage symptoms and problems. Depending on the symptoms, options may be:

• Pain medicines—for headaches
• Anti-nausea medicines
• Fluids—by mouth or IV
• Breathing support

Prevention

To reduce the risk of St. Louis encephalitis:

• Avoid mosquito bites by:
  • Covering up the skin
  • Using bug sprays, netting, and screens
  • Staying inside between dusk and dark