INFORMATION ON ENCEPHALITIS

Encephalitis means an inflammation of the brain, but it usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus. The illness occurs in two forms — a primary form and a secondary form. The primary form of the disease is more serious, while the secondary form is more common. But because of the milder nature of secondary encephalitis, doctors actually see more cases of primary encephalitis. 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.

SYNONYMS OF ENCEPHALITIS

Synonyms of Encephalitis are:

1. Japanese encephalitis virus.
2. Summer encephalitis.
3. Culicine mosquitoes.
4. Viral encephalitis.
5. Flavivirus.

CAUSES OF ENCEPHALITIS

Main cause of encephalitis is a viral infection. It can also transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and other insects; and rabies and monkey pox viruses transmitted through animal bites. There are two types of encephalitis as: Primary encephalitis. This occurs when a virus directly invades your brain and spinal cord. It can happen to people at any time of the year, or it can be part of an outbreak. Post-infectious encephalitis. This form occurs when a virus first infects another part of your body and secondarily enters your brain. Bacterial infections, such as Lyme disease, can sometimes lead to encephalitis, as can parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis and roundworm infections.

SYMPTOMS OF ENCEPHALITIS

Symptoms of Encephalitis:

1. Behavioral and personality changes.
2. Sensitivity to light.
3. Lethargy and reduced consciousness.
4. Seizures.
5. Memory loss.
6. Stiff neck and back.
7. Confusion.
8. Coma.
9. Muscle weakness; unsteadiness standing up or trouble walking.
10. Headache, fatigue, fever, neck pain.
11. Nausea and vomiting.
12. Foul mood, irritability.
13. Aversion to light; squinting.
14. Drowsiness.

DIGNOSIS OF ENCEPHALITIS

Diagnosis of encephalitis Includes tests which can help confirm the diagnosis as:

1. A picture of the brain such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imagining.
2. A DNA study called polymerase chain reaction.
3. A reading of the electrical activity of the brain with an EEG can detect irregularities.
4. The virus may also be isolated from tissue or blood.
5. A brain biopsy for surgical gathering of a small tissue sample can be done.

TREATMENT OF ENCEPHALITIS

As due to a death can be caused by encephalitis you should seek treatment in a hospital's emergency department. Bacterial encephalitis is treated with antibiotics. Viral encephalitis is usually treated with antiviral drugs including acyclovir, ganciclovir, foscarnet, ribovarin. The symptoms of encephalitis may be treated with a number of different drugs. Corticosteroids, including prednisone and dexamethasone, are sometimes prescribed to reduce inflammation and brain swelling. Anticonvulsant drugs, including Dilantin and phenytoin, are used to control seizures. Fever may be reduced with acetaminophen or other fever-reducing drugs. A person with encephalitis must be monitored carefully, since symptoms may change rapidly. Blood tests may be required regularly to track levels of fluids and salts in the blood.