Living with La Crosse encephalitis
A mosquito-borne viral infection that can inflame the brain, mostly in children, though most people infected have no symptoms.
Understanding La Crosse encephalitis
It was first described in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1963 and has been reported in several Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. About 80 to 100 cases are reported each year in the United States, and most are in children younger than 16. Most infected people have no symptoms. Those who do may have fever, headache, vomiting, and tiredness. Severe cases involve encephalitis with seizures, and coma and paralysis occur in some cases.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD says those who become ill may have:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Tiredness (lethargy)
- Seizures in severe cases
- Coma or paralysis in some cases
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
It is caused by the La Crosse virus, which is spread by mosquitoes.
Also known as: california encephalitis; california virus encephalitis; californian encephalitis; la crosse virus caused infectious encephalitis; la crosse virus encephalitis; la crosse virus infectious encephalitis
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 La Crosse encephalitis.
Explore research for La Crosse encephalitis
Explore actively recruiting La Crosse encephalitis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for La Crosse 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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