Living with Eastern equine encephalitis
A virus spread by mosquitoes that usually causes no symptoms or a short illness, but can sometimes cause swelling in the brain.
Understanding Eastern equine encephalitis
Most infected people have no symptoms, but some develop fever, headache, and vomiting. Symptoms begin within 4 to 10 days of infection, and most people recover in 1 to 2 weeks. A small number develop swelling of the brain and severe neurological symptoms that can be permanent. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, blood tests, and sometimes an MRI of the brain.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list for this condition, but the summary describes these features:
- Often no symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Swelling of the brain in a small number of people
- Severe neurological symptoms in some people
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and seizure and epilepsy specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Epilepsy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Seizure and epilepsy specialists (epileptologist)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Epilepsy Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Epilepsy Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The condition is caused by a virus (an arbovirus) spread by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected bird or reptile.
Also known as: eastern equine encephalitis virus infection; eastern equine encephalitis virus neuroinvasive disease; eastern equine encephalomyelitis; eee - eastern equine encephalitis; encephalitis, eastern equine; neuroinvasive eastern equine encephalitis virus disease
Patient organizations
- Epilepsy FoundationEpilepsy · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Eastern equine encephalitis.
Explore research for Eastern equine encephalitis
Explore actively recruiting Eastern equine encephalitis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Eastern equine encephalitis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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