Symptoms of Japanese encephalitis
Learn about the symptoms of Japanese encephalitis, what to look for and what to do if you become ill.
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What are the symptoms of Japanese encephalitis?
Symptoms can take between 5 and 15 days to appear. It is common for most people to show no symptoms.
Less than 1% of infected people develop encephalitis (brain swelling), which is fatal in about 20% to 30% of these cases.
In severe cases, symptoms usually appear suddenly, starting with:
- fever
- vomiting
- headaches
Symptoms may also include:
- coma
- seizures
- stiff neck
- confusion
- general weakness
- movement disorders
- mental or behaviour changes
- paralysis (being unable to move)
- possible long-term nerve and brain damage
What do you do if you become ill?
Consult a health care provider if you have:
- travelled to an area where Japanese encephalitis is present
- any of the listed symptoms
Tell your health care provider:
- your symptoms
- which countries you visited or lived in
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