What does WEE mean in DISEASES
WEE stands for Western Equine Encephalitis virus. It is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the family of viruses known as Togaviridae. It has been identified as one of the most common causes of encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, in North America. Infection with this virus can have serious effects on both humans and animals, and preventive measures should be taken to avoid becoming infected with WEE.
WEE meaning in Diseases in Medical
WEE mostly used in an acronym Diseases in Category Medical that means Western equine encephalitis virus
Shorthand: WEE,
Full Form: Western equine encephalitis virus
For more information of "Western equine encephalitis virus", see the section below.
What is WEE?
WEE is a single-stranded RNA virus that primarily infects birds but has been known to cause disease in horses, humans, and some other mammals such as dogs and cats. It is transmitted by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. The highest risk groups for infection are young children living in rural areas where mosquitoes are present during summer months.
There are three main variants of the virus namely SLE (St Louis encephalitis), WEEV (western equine encephalitis) and EEEV (eastern equine encephalitis). All three variants cause disease in humans and animals but differ in their severity and prevalence. Of all three forms, WEEV is considered to be the most severe form resulting in a higher mortality rate among those who become infected with it than other forms of the virus.
Signs & Symptoms
In humans, symptoms of infection usually appear between 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms can range from mild to severe including fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, lack of appetite, nausea or vomiting, rash behind the ears or over other parts of the body and stiff neckedness or confusion. Severe cases may result in seizures, coma or even death in some cases if not treated promptly with antibiotics or antiviral medications. In horses it can cause paralysis or even death although this is rare.
Infection can also lead to long term neurological issues such as seizures which can last for years after being infected with WEEV. People who survive infection might experience learning difficulties as well as physical problems such as paralysis due to damage caused by inflammation in their brains.
Prevention & Treatment
The best way to prevent infection is to reduce exposure to mosquitoes through using repellents when outdoors, avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito activity times, wearing protective clothing while outside, using mosquito nets around beds and eliminating potential breeding sites around homes by getting rid of standing water. Vaccines against WEEV are available for horses but not yet available for people at this time.
For people who develop signs & symptoms, treatment consists mainly of supportive care such as pain relievers, fluids etc. Antiviral medications like ribavirin may be prescribed depending on severity & infection source but have limited effectiveness due to varying strains present. In very severe cases doctors might also recommend corticosteroids like prednisone which help reduce swelling & inflammation due to high levels oftoxins produced by the virus .
Essential Questions and Answers on Western equine encephalitis virus in "MEDICAL»DISEASES"
What is Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) virus?
WEE virus is an mosquito-borne disease caused by a group of viruses related to St. Louis encephalitis and other types of arboviruses. It most commonly affects horses, but it can also spread to humans and certain bird species. WEE virus is found mainly in the western states, including California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
How do people get Western equine encephalitis virus infection?
People may become infected with the Western equine encephalitis virus through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds or mammals that carry the virus. People are not directly contagious to each other.
What are the symptoms of Westequine encephalitis virus infection?
Most people who become infected with Westequine encephalitis virus experience mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. More severe cases may involve changes in consciousness and even coma. Neurological abnormalities including seizures may also occur in severe cases.
Who is at risk for developing Westequine encephalitis virus infection?
People who live in or travel to areas where mosquitoes are present are at higher risk for becoming infected with WEE virus. Additionally, those who work outdoors or have contact with wild animals may be more likely to come into contact with mosquitoes carrying the WEE virus and thus more likely to contract the infection.
How can I protect myself from Westequine encephalitis (WEE) virus infection?
It's important to take steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites if you live in or visit an area where WEE is known to be present. These include wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, using an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours (dawn or dusk), removing standing water near your home where mosquitoes can breed, and installing screens on windows/doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your house or building.
Is there a vaccine available for protecting against Westequine encephalitis (WEE) Virus?
Unfortunately there is no vaccine available yet for protection against Westequine encephalitis Virus(WEE). The best way to protect yourself from this potentially dangerous illness is prevention through proper precautions as previously mentioned above.
What treatments are available if someone gets infected with Westequine encephalitis (WEE) Virus?
Treatment for Westequine encephalitis Virus(WEE) primarily revolves around managing symptoms such as providing fluids through IV if necessary or medications such as painkillers/fever reducers if needed as well as monitoring neurological status closely due to potential complications of brain inflammation that could arise due to infection.
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