Encephalitis

Encephalitis

It is an inflammation of the brain caused most common by viral infection, but some other causes are there.

Symptoms:

·         Headache

·         Fever

·         Aches in muscles or joints

·         Fatigue or weaknessConfusion, agitation or hallucinations

·         Seizures

·         Loss of sensation or paralysis in certain areas of the face or body

·         Muscle weakness

·         Problems with speech or hearing

·         Loss of consciousnessBulging in the soft spots (fontanels) of an infant's skull

·         Nausea and vomiting

·         Body stiffness

·         Irritability

Types:

·         Primary encephalitis. It is due to reactivation of a virus that had been inactive after a previous illness.This is occurred when a virus or other agent infects directlyto the brain. The infection may be concentrated in one area or widespread.

·         Secondary encephalitis. This condition results from a faulty immune system reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body.

Causes:

·         Herpes simplex virus (HSV). 

·         Other herpes viruses. These include the Epstein-Barr virus, which commonly causes infectious mononucleosis, and the varicella-zoster virus, which commonly causes chickenpox and shingles.

·         Enteroviruses. Which usually cause an illness with flu-like symptoms, eye inflammation and abdominal pain,such as the coxsackievirus and poliovirus.

·         Mosquito-borne viruses. Such as La Crosse, West Nile, western equine,St. Louis and eastern equine encephalitis.

·         Tick-borne viruses. 

·         Rabies virus. Infection with the rabies virus, which is usually transmitted by a bite from an infected animal, causes a rapid progression to encephalitis once symptoms begin. Rabies is a rare cause of encephalitis in the United States.

·         Childhood infections.  Such as mumps, measles (rubeola), and German measles (rubella)

Risk factors:

·         Age

·         Weakened immune system. 

·         Geographical regions

·         Season of the year. Mosquito- and tick-borne diseases tend to be more common in summer in many areas of the United States.

Complications:

·         Your age

·         The cause of your infection

·         The severity of your initial illness

·         The time from disease onset to treatmentPersistent fatigue

·         Weakness or lack of muscle coordination

·         Personality changes

·         Memory problems

·         Paralysis

·         Hearing or vision defects

·         Speech impairments

Preventions:

·         Practice good hygiene. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before and after meals.

·         Don't share utensils. Don't share tableware and beverages.

·         Teach your children good habits. Make sure they practice good hygiene and avoid sharing utensils at home and school.

·         Get vaccinations. Keep your own and your children's vaccinations current. Before traveling, talk to your doctor about recommended vaccinations for different destinations.

Diagnosis:

·         Brain imaging. MRI or CT images can reveal any swelling of the brain or another condition that might be causing your symptoms, such as a tumor.

·         Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

·         Other lab tests. Samples of blood, urine or excretions from the back of the throat can be tested for viruses or other infectious agents.

·         Electroencephalogram (EEG). Electrodes affixed to your scalp record the brain's electrical activity. Certain abnormal patterns may indicate a diagnosis of encephalitis.

·         Brain biopsy

Treatment:

·         Bed rest

·         Plenty of fluids

·         Anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium to relieve headaches and fever.

Antiviral medications commonly used to treat encephalitis include:

·         Acyclovir (Zovirax)

·         Ganciclovir (Cytovene)

·         Foscarnet (Foscavir)

Encephalitis, inflammation, brain tissue,viral infections