HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS

Japanese encephalitis virus JEV is the most important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. It is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, and belongs to the same genus as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.

The first case of Japanese encephalitis viral disease (JE) was documented in 1871 in Japan.

The annual incidence of clinical disease varies both across and within endemic countries, ranging from <1 to >10 per 100 000 population or higher during outbreaks. A literature review estimates nearly 68 000 clinical cases of JE globally each year, with approximately 13 600 to 20 400 deaths. JE primarily affects children. Most adults in endemic countries have natural immunity after childhood infection, but individuals of any age

Major outbreaks of JE occur every 2-15 years. JE transmission intensifies during the rainy season, during which vector populations increase. However, there has not yet been evidence of increased JEV transmission following major floods or tsunamis. The spread of JEV in new areas has been correlated with agricultural development and intensive rice cultivation supported by irrigation programmes.

Signs and symptoms

Most JEV infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness. Severe disease is characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and ultimately death. The case-fatality rate can be as high as 30% among those with disease symptoms.

Of those who survive, 20%–30% suffer permanent intellectual, behavioural or neurological problems such as paralysis, recurrent seizures or the inability to speak may be affected.

Transmission

24 countries in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions have JEV transmission risk, which includes more than 3 billion people.

JEV is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes of the Culexspecies (mainly Culextritaeniorhynchus). Humans, once infected, do not develop sufficient viraemia to infect feeding mosquitoes. The virus exists in a transmission cycle between mosquitoes, pigs and/or water birds (enzootic cycle). The disease is predominantly found in rural and periurban settings, where humans live in closer proximity to these vertebrate hosts.

In most temperate areas of Asia, JEV is transmitted mainly during the warm season, when large epidemics can occur. In the tropics and subtropics, transmission can occur year-round but often intensifies during the rainy season and pre-harvest period in rice-cultivating regions.

Diagnosis

Individuals who live in or have travelled to a JE-endemic area and experience encephalitis are considered a suspected JE case. To confirm JEV infection and to rule out other causes of encephalitis requires a laboratory testing of serum or, preferentially, cerebrospinal fluid.

Surveillance of the disease is mostly syndromic for acute encephalitis. Confirmatory laboratory testing is often conducted in dedicated sentinel sites, and efforts are undertaken to expand laboratory-based surveillance. Case-based surveillance is established in countries that effectively control JE through vaccination.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic medicines are proved to be effective for the treatment of Japanese encephalitis. Homoeopathic medicines also work well for prevention.

BELLADONNA 200-Beladonna is one of the top  remedies for Japanese encephalitis. There is high fever with delirium . The eyes and face becomes red. Congestion of the brain occurs.

GELESEMIUM 200-Gelsemium is prescribed when headache , vertigo, and pain in neck and shoulder occurs. It may be with or without fever. Dullness , drowsiness and weakness occurs. Chilliness down the back which makes the patient shake. There may be watery bland discharge from nose , face hot, heavy flushed, eye lids heavy and dim sighted. There may be lack of muscular coordination and loss of muscular control.

HELLEBORUS 200- Helleborus is prescribed when inflammation of the brain with stupefaction occurs. There is weakness of memory, melancholoy and drowsiness.

HYSOSYMAMOUS NIGER 200-Hyosyamous is prescribed when inflammation of the brain , congestion of head and face occurs.There is  violent throbbing headache and giddiness. Violent delirium is another prescribing symptom.

STRAMONIUM 200-Stramonium is another effective remedy for Japanese encephalitis when  inflammation of brain with heat and pulsation of vertex occurs. There is delirium tremers and delusion about his identity. Must have light and company.

ARSENIC ALBUM 200-Arsenic alb is prescribed when degenerative changes occurs in the brain or any organ begin.  The patient is highly restless. There is thirst for small quantites  of water at frequent intervals.

HOMOEOPATHIC PREVENTIVE

Give Belladonna 200 one dose at night, after one week give Calcarea carb 200 one dose at night and after two weeks give Tuberculinum 200 one dose at night.