Slepping sickness (encephalities)
by Mikia Stegner-Key
Sleeping sickness is a virus,
Encephalities is one of the most common cause of neurological disease in veterinary medicine. It is typically carried by insects espically the tick. The tick spreads the virus through blood exchange it can be spread to animals or humans this way.
This is the american dog tick one of the most common carriers of the virus
Signs and symptoms for both animals and humans
HUMANS: Fever, Mild Headache, Low Energy, Poor Appetite, Clumsiness, Confusion, Drowsiness, Vomiting, but the worst symptoms are: Siezures, Convulsions, Tremors, and Hallacinations, If not treated may cause death.
ANIMALS: Blindness, Head Tilt, Facial Paralysis, Mental Depression, Clumsiness, Siezures, Tremors, If not treated may cause death.
Encephalities causes swelling of the brain, this is the reason why it has the suffix -ities which means inflammation.
Treatment and ways to detect the virus
Humans and Animal detection: MRI, CT scan, Electroencephalogram, Lumbar Puncture, Serology test, CSF test.
Treatments: Antibiotics, Anticonvulsants, Steroids
Protection
Human: Insect Repellant, Wear Long Seleve Shirt and Pants, and There is also a vaccination.
Animal: Routine Blood and Urine Work, Chest X-Rays.
Encephalitis