Living with Western equine encephalitis
A mosquito-spread viral infection, more common in children, that starts with flu-like symptoms and can affect the brain.
Understanding Western equine encephalitis
It more often affects children. It starts with mild flu-like symptoms and can progress to weakness, confusion, sensitivity to light, seizures, and sleepiness or coma. GARD says it can leave nervous system effects, mainly in infants and children, such as seizures, muscle stiffness, or behavior problems.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness and confusion
- Seizures
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 Encephalitis411 and other patient organizations
- 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
GARD says it is caused by an alphavirus of the Togaviridae family, spread by an infected mosquito.
Also known as: encephalitis, western equine; wee; wee - western equine encephalitis; western equine encephalitis virus caused infectious encephalitis; western equine encephalitis virus infectious encephalitis; western equine encephalomyelitis
Patient organizations
- Encephalitis411Western equine encephalitis · United States
- Epilepsy FoundationEpilepsy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Western equine encephalitis.
Explore research for Western equine encephalitis
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- 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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