Encephalitis refers to inflammatory processes in the brain tissues. Based on the causes of encephalitis, they are all subdivided into primary and secondary .There are three stages of the development of the disease: acute, subacute and chronic.
Reasons for
The sources of infection of primary cerebral viral encephalitis are mainly insects.
On the background of measles, influenza, rubella, malaria, smallpox and even after vaccination, the development of secondary encephalitis is possible. It should be noted that vaccination can serve as a "trigger" mechanism on the way to the development of brain encephalitis in newborns, so it is extremely important to consult a neurologist and a thorough examination of the pediatrician.
Encephalitis bacterial can be caused by syphilis, or typhus.
In general, it is the viruses - the causative agents of encephalitis. In some cases, encephalitis develops against a background of any infectious diseases.
Across blood vessels, a virus from an infected insect, with a blood stream, enters directly into the brain and other organs. Also, infection can occur by airborne droplets, or alimentary( eating infected foods or using a dish with a sick person).
Risk Factors
Factors that increase the risk of encephalitis include:
- Age. Children under one year and elderly people are most at risk of developing encephalitis of viral etiology. Herpes simplex virus is the destiny of young people from 20 to 40 years old.
- Weakened immune system
- Some geographical regions.
- Seasonality. Summer and autumn are the most favorable time period for insect spreaders.
Vegeto-vascular dystonia according to the hypertonic type is a pathological condition of the nervous system, in which all organs and tissues of the body are not supplied with oxygen. All about the symptoms, signs and treatment VSD hypertonic type.
The reasons for increasing intracranial pressure in adults can be found here.
Symptoms of
The following symptoms of cerebral encephalitis should be highlighted:
- headache, weakness;
- increased body temperature;
- pain in the joints, muscles.
Infants and young children have the following symptoms:
- bloating of the fontanelle;
- toasta;
- stiffness in the movements, spasm;
- tearfulness;
- lack of appetite.
Symptoms of severe disease include:
- severe headache;
- high temperature;
- confusion;
- increased anxiety, hallucinations;
- convulsive state;
- paralysis, loss of sensitivity;
- weakness in the muscles;
- double vision;
- problems with hearing or speech;
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic procedures are used to establish a reliable diagnosis:
Tomography examination of the head. Includes a magnetic resonance study, helping to identify swelling, swelling, or other causes of the disease.In the photo above, it is possible to visually see lesions in cerebral encephalitis, which were detected by magnetic resonance imaging. To date, this is one of the most reliable and obvious methods for detecting various pathologies in the human brain.
Types of encephalitis
Primary
Epidemiological encephalitis
The cause of its occurrence is a virus transmitted by airborne droplets. This type of encephalitis can develop at any age. Body temperature reaches 40 ° C, the head is intensely painful, consciousness is broken, joint pain, lethargy, rhythm of breathing, increased sweating, palpitations, insomnia.
Such pathologies as diplopia, strabismus, and paralysis develop. The patient may be in a state of euphoria or suffer from other psychological disorders.
Tick-borne encephalitis
The virus enters the person after a tick bite. The head begins to ache, the sick feel sick, the body temperature rises, it is painful for a person to look at the light. There may be seizures, epileptic syndrome
Japanese encephalitis
Carriers of the virus - birds, insects, as well as the person himself. Symptoms of the disease: a sharp jump in temperature, a person is very sick and feverish, there is a weakness of the muscles, the whole body is aching.
Possible convulsive conditions, impaired consciousness, twitching of limbs.
Influenza encephalitis
Appears against the background of the flu. The head hurts strongly and it is turned, it makes me sick, muscle pain, weight loss and sleep disorder are observed. The disease is dangerous consequences: epileptic seizures, coma or paralysis.
Herpetic encephalitis
The causative agent is the herpes virus. White matter of the brain is affected. During the exacerbation the patient's body temperature rises, his head hurts, consciousness is disturbed, he is sick, and epileptic seizures may appear. Man is lost in time, motion is meaningless. This is a slow infection, as it can be in the body for a long time.
Secondary
Post-vaccination encephalitis
The cause of the disease is an unforeseen reaction of the body to vaccination.
Measles encephalitis
Usually occurs 3-4 days after a measles rash. During the exacerbation the patient's body temperature rises, the general condition worsens, drowsiness and weakness can lead to coma or a pregnant state.
Sometimes, on the contrary, patients become unnecessarily agitated, there is delirium, perhaps the development of an epileptic fit. The virus affects the facial nerves, paralysis, chorea, ataxia, transverse myelitis may occur.
Bacterial encephalitis
A rare type of encephalitis, characterized mainly by an increase in temperature. Promotes the development of pneumonia, pharyngitis, myocarditis, conjunctivitis and monocytosis.
Encephalitis with chicken pox
It usually occurs one week after the chickenpox virus enters the body.
The human nervous system suffers, it becomes sluggish, epileptic seizures may occur, with impaired coordination of movements and paralysis of the limbs.
Treatment of
Mild treatment of brain encephalitis should include compliance with the following principles:
- fluid intake in unlimited quantities;
- bed rest;
- administration of anti-inflammatory drugs that help to relieve fever and lower body temperature: Acetaminophen, Naproxen, Ibuprofen.
In more serious manifestations of the disease, antiviral drugs are prescribed:
- Zovirax or Acyclovir;
- Ganciclovir( Cytovene).
Viruses transmitted to humans by insects remain viable under the influence of the above therapy. But there are cases when the treatment with Acyclovir has to start immediately, without determining the origin of the virus of this infection.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, intestinal distress, loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain. Very rarely there may be failures in the work of the kidneys, liver, suppression of bone marrow activity.
Severely ill encephalitis is prescribed maintenance therapy, which includes:
- complete control of heart and breathing;
- is an intravenous fluid that must compensate for all of its losses caused by urination, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as monitoring the level of mineral substances in the blood;
- use of antiviral drugs - corticosteroids to reduce intracranial pressure and reduce swelling;
- for the cessation of seizures and their prevention prescribe anticonvulsant drugs: Phenytoin or Dilantin.
Depending on the clinic, the diseases and the degree of complications are performed by additional treatment:
- physiotherapeutic measures;
- rehabilitation to restore normal skills;
- exercises with a speech therapist to coordinate and restore muscle control;
- psychotherapy to overcome stressful situations, learning new behavioral skills for the treatment of mental disorders.
Complications and consequences
In a mild form, encephalitis is virtually without trace. With an average severity of the disease occurs within 2 to 3 months, and in severe cases, the treatment process can last for several years.
It should be canceled that not all patients with encephalitis can develop complications. Everything depends on the severity of the disease and its course, the patient's health and age.
Complications after the transferred encephalitis include:
- dizziness, headache;
- meningitis;
- deterioration of sight and hearing, speech;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- paralysis;
- respiratory arrest;
- fatigue and weakness;
- enuresis;
- memory attenuation;
- mental retardation;
- mental disorder.
The reason for this: irrational treatment, physical and mental fatigue, pregnancy, alcoholism.
Preventive measures
To protect human and animal health from encephalitis, effective vaccines have been developed. It is also necessary to carry out a set of measures to combat insects, which may be carriers of the encephalitis virus.
It should be noted that there is no specific therapy. In order to avoid the development of secondary encephalitis, it is necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection primarily with mumps, influenza virus, chicken pox, and other diseases that can provoke the development of a disease called cerebral encephalitis.
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Indications for magnetic resonance imaging( MRI) can be obtained from the following link: http: //gidmed.com/obsledovanie/ mrt-sosudov-golovnogo-mozga.html.
Video, which highlights the main issues of tick-borne encephalitis :