There’s a virus out there that has given Massachusetts public health officials serious anxiety, and tbh, they have a pretty good reason. Eastern Equine Encephalitis might sound like something only horse girls need to worry about, but trust me, this rare virus is actually terrifying for everyone.
8 absolutely wild facts about EEE that will keep you up at night
- This virus doesn’t mess around. Once you’re infected, symptoms can show up faster than your Amazon Prime delivery, hitting you within just four to ten days
- Not everyone who gets infected shows symptoms, which sounds great until you realize it means you could be carrying it without knowing
- The mortality rate is a shocking 30 percent, which is higher than many other mosquito-borne diseases you’ve probably heard about
- If you survive the infection you might face long-term neurological problems that could change your life forever
- There’s literally no cure or specific treatment for it right now, so doctors can only treat the symptoms and hope for the best
- The virus can cause your brain to swell up, which is exactly as scary as it sounds
- You could go from feeling fine to having seizures and behavioral changes within days
- Even though it’s rare, cases are increasing in certain areas, and climate change might make it worse
The symptoms that should send you running to the doctor
Let’s get real about what this virus does to your body. At first, it might feel like a regular flu that’s hitting different. We’re talking fever that makes you want to live in your freezer, headaches that make your worst hangover seem cute, and the kind of vomiting and diarrhea that’ll make you never want to leave your bathroom.
When it gets seriously scary
Here’s where things get wild. In some cases, this virus decides to level up and attack your nervous system. We’re talking seizures that come out of nowhere, personality changes that’ll freak out your friends, and the kind of drowsiness that coffee can’t touch. Less than 5 percent of people get these severe symptoms, but when they do, it’s seriously dangerous.
Why doctors can’t just give you a magic pill
Here’s the thing about EEE that’s super frustrating, doctors can’t just write you a prescription and send you on your way. There’s no specific treatment for this virus, which means if you get it, you’re basically stuck playing defense. The best they can do is give you pain meds for your fever and headaches and keep you in the hospital if things get really bad.
The survival game
Let’s talk survival rates, because they’re kind of terrifying. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who develop severe symptoms, you’ve got about a 30 percent chance of not making it. And if you do survive, you might be dealing with some serious long-term effects that could change your life forever.
How to not get bitten by deadly mosquitoes
Good news, you can actually protect yourself from this nightmare virus, and it’s not even that hard. Here’s what you need to do to stay safe:
First, become best friends with DEET. Yes, it might smell weird, but it’s better than encephalitis. Spray that stuff on like your life depends on it because, well, it kind of does.
Next, channel your inner grandma and start wearing long sleeves and pants, especially when mosquitoes are most active. Fashion might have to take a backseat to not getting a deadly virus.
Make sure your house isn’t accidentally becoming a mosquito resort. Check for standing water like a detective looking for clues. Those little water collectors in your plant pots? Dump them. That kiddie pool that’s been sitting out since July? Empty it. That clogged gutter? Fix it.
Why this matters even if you don’t live in Massachusetts
Here’s the thing: EEE isn’t just a Massachusetts problem. This virus doesn’t care about state borders, and with climate change making mosquitoes more active in more places, it could show up anywhere. Plus, these prevention tips will help protect you from other mosquito-borne diseases too, so it’s a win-win.
What you need to do right now
The time to protect yourself isn’t after you hear about cases in your area it’s right now. Get yourself some serious bug spray, check your window screens for holes, and make your yard as mosquito-unfriendly as possible.
Remember, EEE might be rare, but it’s not the kind of lottery you want to win. Taking these precautions might seem like a pain, but they’re way better than the alternative. Stay safe out there, and maybe keep that bug spray in your Amazon cart for easy reordering.
