Encephalitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention & More

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July 18, 2022

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What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is a condition that is caused when there is an acute inflammation or swelling of the brain which is usually caused by a viral infection. The brain becomes inflamed when the body is attempting to fight off the virus. However, in certain cases of encephalitis, the inflammation is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the brain tissue by mistake. While encephalitis is a rare condition, it is a serious and life-threatening disease that requires treatment immediately. The mortality rate depends on several factors including the patient’s age and the severity of the disease. While younger patients usually recover without other health issues, it can lead to complications in older patients.

Encephalitis Symptoms

Mild flu-like symptoms are the most common Symptom of viral encephalitis. They include

Fever
Headache
Weakness or fatigue
Muscle and joint aches

In certain cases, the Symptoms could be more severe and could include

Seizures
Paralysis or a loss of sensation in certain areas of the body and face
Hallucination or delirium
Disorientation or an altered level of consciousness
Problems with speech and hearing
Nausea or vomiting
Problems with co-ordination
Muscle contractions

Infants and children suffering from encephalitis exhibit different Symptoms like

Vomiting
Poor appetite
The soft spot on the head (fontanel) appears to be bulging
Body stiffness

You should call your pediatrician immediately if your child shows any of these symptoms.

Who is at Risk?

Some of the encephalitis Risk Factors are:

Children who are under the age of 1 and older adults are at a Risk of contracting encephalitis causing viruses that are more severe or more common in these age groups.
People who have weak immune systems like individuals who are on certain medications that can weaken the immune system or people who have HIV/AIDS are at a Higher Risk of contracting encephalitis.
Geographical location- People who live in areas where mosquitos and ticks are common are at a higher risk of contracting encephalitis as ticks and mosquitoes are carriers of the virus that causes encephalitis. Since these insects are most active in the summer and monsoon, chances of contracting this Disease during these seasons are higher.

In very rare cases the MMR vaccination (measles, mumps, rubella) has caused encephalitis in children.

Encephalitis Causes

The most common cause of encephalitis is usually a viral infection. The two main types of encephalitis are primary encephalitis and secondary encephalitis. Primary encephalitis is a condition that occurs when a virus directly infects the brain. The infection may remain in one area or it may spread. A primary infection could also be a reactivation of a virus that may have been inactive after a previous illness. Secondary encephalitis occurs when the immune system lands up attacking healthy cells in the body instead of attacking only the cells that are causing the infection. Secondary encephalitis also is known as post-infection encephalitis usually occurs a few weeks after the initial infection. Some of the viruses that cause encephalitis are:

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Mosquito-borne viruses
Tick-borne viruses
Rabies virus
Childhood infections

Encephalitis Diagnosis

If the Neurologist Doctor identifies the common Symptoms of encephalitis like headache, fever, confusion, poor appetite, or other related Symptoms related to encephalitis the doctor may ask you to undergo some further encephalitis lab tests to properly diagnose the illness. Some of these tests include:

Lumbar puncture or spinal tap: in this test, the doctor will collect a sample of the spinal fluid by inserting a needle into the lower back. This fluid is tested for signs of infection.
CT or MRI scan: MRIs and CT scans can detect any changes in the brain's structure. This can also rule out the possibility of tumors and strokes. Certain viruses affect certain parts of the brain and with the CT scan or MRI, the doctor can determine which part of the brain is infected and thereby determine what virus the patient has.
Electroencephalograph (EEG): this procedure is done by attaching small metal discs with wires to the scalp to record brain activity. Certain changes in regular brain activity patterns can indicate which area of the brain is infected.

Encephalitis Treatment

While the Treatment for mild encephalitis just requires plenty of bed rest and fluids, the doctor may prescribe anit-inflammatory drugs that help with relieving the headaches and fevers. The Treatment of encephalitis depends on the underlying virus causing the Disease. For encephalitis from herpes, anti-viral medications, which reduce the virus’s ability to replicate, help in the Treatment. However the same medication is ineffective in Treating encephalitis caused by other viruses. Most often the Treatment of encephalitis is focused on relieving the Symptoms and these include:

Anti-convulsant medication that helps in Preventing and controlling seizures
Pain killers
Sedatives that help with irritability, aggressiveness and restlessness
Corticosteroids that help in reducing the brain inflammation
Fluid replacement and IV fluids
Luke warm sponge baths
Rest

How can encephalitis be Prevented?

While the most effective way of Preventing encephalitis is by keeping up-to-date with your vaccinations especially vaccines like the MMR vaccine for mumps, measles and rubella. Since mosquitoes are known to be carriers of viruses that cause encephalitis you should try and get rid of standing water sources around your home which can be breeding ground for mosquitoes. Common problem areas include flat roofs, clogged gutters flower pots and other gardening containers. Try and keep yourself from getting regularly bitten by mosquitoes by avoiding going out at specific times during the day when there are large number of mosquitoes about and wear mosquito repellent when stepping out.

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