encephalitis
encephalitis Causes
Encephalitis can be caused by bacterial infection like bacterial meningitis or by a complication of other infection diseases like rabies or syphilis. Some parasitic infestations, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Brain damage normally occurs as the inflamed section of the brain tends to push against the skull, which would eventually lead to death.
encephalitis Definition
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, normally caused by a viral infection. It's a rare disease that only occurs in approximately 0.5 per 100,000 individuals - most commonly in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
encephalitis Diagnosis
Patients with encephalitis undergo neurological examinations to reveal a drowsy or confused patient. Stiff neck usually indicates that the patient has either meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid examination obtained by a lumbar puncture procedure reveals increased amount of protein and white blood cells with normal glucose, though in a significant percentage of patients, the cerebrospinal fluid by maybe normal. Lumbar puncture procedure is usually performed only right after the likelihood of the prominent brain swelling has been excluded through conducting a CT scan examination
encephalitis Symptoms and Signs
Fever, headache and photophobia with weakness and seizures are common symptoms for encephalitis.Stiffness of the neck can occur with rare cases of patients. Stiffness of the limbs, slowness in movement and clumsiness depending on which part of the brain is involved is also present. Another key symptom of Encephalitis includes hallucination.
encephalitis Treatment
Patients will mild encephalitis can be monitored at home but most will need care in the hospital. Treatment is usually symptomatic. Reliably tested specific antiviral agents are accessible only for a small number of viral agents (e.g. acyclovir for herpes simplex virus) and are used with some degree of success for most infection except herpes simplex encephalitis. Among the patients who are extremely sick, the administration of supportive treatment, including mechanical ventilation has been proven to be equally important.