What Is St. Louis encephalitis (SLE)?
St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) is an inflammation of the brain. This viral infection is transmitted only by the bite of infective mosquitoes. SLE is transmitted by mosquitoes from the culex genus whose feeding activity is most intense during cooler temperatures at dusk, night, and at dawn. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on birds infected with the St. Louis encephalitis virus.

When the virus enters the blood stream, it may localize in the brain causing inflammation of the brain cells and surrounding membranes. The brain tissue swells and can cause destruction of nerve cells, bleeding within the brain, and brain damage.

To contract SLE, you have to be bitten by an infected mosquito. Although the percentage of people who are bitten by an infected mosquito and actually get SLE is low, proper precautions should still taken in areas where culex genus mosquitoes live. Increased awareness and prevention methods are key to helping keep the number of SLE cases to a minimum.

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1. What Is St. Louis encephalitis (SLE)?
2. What is being done in Memphis to prevent SLE?
3. What are the signs and symptoms of SLE?
4. What are the causes?
5. What are the risk factors of SLE?
6. What is the screening / diagnosis process?
7. What are some of the complications associated with SLE?
8. What are the treatment options?
9. What are some preventative measures I can take to prevent SLE?
10. Where can I find additional information about SLE?