Home :: Family Health :: Encephalitis

Encephalitis - Encephalitis symptom, treatment, causes

Encephalitis is a condition explained as the generalised inflammation of the brain, often associated with meningitis (in which case it is caned meningo encephalitis). If the spinal cord is also inflamed, the condition is caned encephalomyelitis.

1. Primaty encephalitis is caused by viral infection of the brain.
2. Secondary encephalitis results from a hypersensitive reaction in the brain to a virus that has caused a generalised illness.

Some viruses that cause primary encephalitis in humans are spread from animal or bird hosts by biting insects, leading to epidemic outbreaks when the insects are prevalent (usually in warm weather), when the brain inflammation is due to a hypersensitive reaction, symptoms of encephalitis may not develop for some time (weeks or years) after the initial illness caused by the virus. Viral infections that may be complicated by secondary encephalitis include herpes simplex. Glandular Fever, measles, mumps, chickenpox, pubella (German measles) and polio myelitis.

Encephalitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the brain. Several thousand cases of encephalitis are reported each year, but many more may actually occur since the symptoms may be mild to non-existent in most patients. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies or syphilis. Encephalitis can be a complication of Lyme disease transmitted by ticks, or of rabies spread by rabid animals. Viruses such as those responsible for causing cold sores, and chickenpox can also cause encephalitis. Because encephalitis can be caused by many types of germs, the infection can be spread in several different ways. A certain family of viruses, the Arboviruses are spread by insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. Exposure to viruses can occur through insect bites, food or drink contamination, inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person, or skin contact. In urban areas, enteroviruses are most common, including coxsackievirus, poliovirus, and echovirus. Once the virus has entered the bloodstream, it may localize in the brain, causing inflammation of brain tissue and surrounding membranes. White blood cells invade the brain tissue as they try to fight off the infection. Because lots of countries immunize against these diseases, it's rarer today that a person will develop encephalitis as a result of an illness like measles or mumps.

Some cases of encephalitis are mild and symptoms only last for a short time. Eencephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like syphilis. Certain parasites, like toxoplasmosis, can also cause encephalitis in people with weakened immune systems. However, it is possible to develop a severe case of encephalitis that can be serious and possibly even life threatening. When a person has encephalitis, his or her brain becomes inflamed - inflammation means swelling and redness. There are two types of encephalitis. Primary encephalitis is caused by a direct viral infection of the spinal cord and brain. The infection may be focal or diffuse. Secondary encephalitis, also known as post-infective encephalitis, can result from complications of a current viral infection. Mosquitoes can also transmit the viruses for several types of encephalitis, including west nile encephalitis, st. louis encephalitis, and western equine encephalitis. Treatment for encephalitis depends on the virus that caused it. People with mild cases of encephalitis can recover at home as long as they're watched carefully by a parent or other adult in the household. Most cases of encephalitis just run their course and the person gets better on his or her own.

Symptom of Encephalitis

Symptom of Encephalitis are Mild fever and feeling unwell may be the only symptoms. Symptoms of more severe brain inflammation include altered consciousness, personality change, disturbances in behaviour, memory loss, uncoordinated movements, seizures, paralysis and coma. Symptoms of meningitis. such as headache. vomiting. stiff neck and back, may also be present in Encephalitis disease. Some sign and symptoms related to Encephalitis are as follows:

• Fever and headache.
• Impaired judgment.
• Drowsiness.
• Confusion and disorientation.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Tremor or convulsions.
• A clumsy and unsteady gait.

Causes of Encephalitis

The common causes and risk factor's of Encephalitis include the following:

• Herpes simplex type 1 virus.
• Enteroviruses (viruses that typically occur in the gastrointestinal tract).
• Varicella zoster virus.
• Better known viruses like measles, mumps, rubella, and herpes may also cause encephalitis.
• Compromised immune system.
• Bacterial causes of encephalitis include mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and Bartonella henselae, also known as cat scratch disease because that is how it is usually transmitted.

Diagnosis of Encephalitis

If encephalitis is suspected, a lumbar puncture is performed so that the cerebrospinal fluid can be examined to confirm the diagnosis of viral encephalitis and exclude bacterial infection. Blood tests for specific antibodies may help to identify the virus.

Treatment of Encephalitis

Care in hospital is usually advised, so that fluid balance can be carefully monitored and seizures treated appropriately. Intravenous infusion of antiviral drugs before the onset of coma has proved an effective aid to recovery in some types of viral encephalitis. Here is list of the methods to treat Encephalitis:

• Antibiotics may be prescribed when the infection is caused by some organisms, such as certain bacteria.
• Narcotics are sometimes given for pain, but used sparingly to avoid any drug-induced changes in brain function.
• Corticosteroids, including prednisone and dexamethasone, are sometimes prescribed to reduce inflammation and brain swelling.
• If brain function is severely affected, interventions like physical therapy and speech therapy may be necessary after the acute illness is controlled.
• If seizures occur, they will require treatment with anti-convulsant medications.
• Take protective measures when working or playing outside, such as using insect repellant and wearing long pants and long sleeves.

Outlook of Encephalitis

Even desperately ill patients can recover completely, young children more slowly than adults. Permanent brain damage is uncommon, and is most likely to occur in infants. Death rates vary with the cause, and epidemics vary in severity from one year to the next.