Encephalitis Literally Means an Inflammation of the Brain

8/8/2019 Encephalitis Literally Means an Inflammation of the Brain

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Encephalitis literally means an inflammation of the brain, but it usually refers to brain

inflammation caused by a virus. It's a rare disease that occurs in approximately 0.5 per 100,000

individuals most commonly in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immunesystems (e.g., those with HIV/AIDS or cancer).

Although several thousand cases of encephalitis (also called acute viral encephalitis or aseptic

encephalitis) are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) every year,experts suspect that many more may go unreported because the symptoms are so mild.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms in milder cases of encephalitis usually include:

fever

headache

poor appetite

loss of energy

a general sick feeling

In more severe cases of encephalitis, a person is more likely to experience high fever and any of a

number of symptoms that relate to the central nervous system, including:

severe headache

nausea and vomiting

stiff neck

confusion

disorientation

personality changes convulsions (seizures)

problems with speech or hearing

hallucinations

memory loss

drowsiness

coma

It's harder to detect some of these symptoms in infants, but important signs to look for include:

vomiting a full or bulging soft spot (fontanel)

crying that doesn't stop or that seems worse when an infant is picked up or handled in

some way

body stiffness

Because encephalitis can follow or accompany common viral illnesses, there sometimes are signs

and symptoms of these illnesses beforehand. But often, the encephalitis appears without warning.


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Causes

Because encephalitis can be caused by many types of germs, the infection can be spread in

several different ways.

One of the most dangerous and most common causes of encephalitis is the herpes simplex virus

(HSV). HSV is the same virus that causes cold sores around the mouth, but when it attacks thebrain it may occasionally be fatal. Fortunately, HSV encephalitis is very rare.

Encephalitis can be a very rare complication ofLyme disease transmitted by ticks or ofrabies

spread by rabid animals.

Mosquitoes can also transmit the viruses for several types of encephalitis, including West Nile

encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and Western Equine encephalitis. Over the last several years

in the United States, there's been concern about the spread ofWest Nile virus, which is

transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that pick up the virus by biting infected birds.

Milder forms of encephalitis can follow or accompany common childhood illnesses, includingmeasles, mumps, chickenpox, rubella (German measles), and mononucleosis. Viruses like

chickenpox spread mostly via the fluids of the nose and throat, usually during a cough or sneeze.

Less commonly, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or

it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like syphilis. Certain parasites, liketoxoplasmosis, can also cause encephalitis in people with weakened immune systems.

Contagiousness

Brain inflammation itself is not contagious, but any of the various viruses that cause encephalitiscan be. Of course, just because a child gets a certain virus does not mean that he or she will

develop encephalitis. Still, to be safe, children should avoid contact with anyone who has

encephalitis.

Prevention

Encephalitis cannot be prevented except to try to prevent the illnesses that may lead to it.Encephalitis that may be seen with common childhood illnesses can be largely prevented through

properimmunization. Have your kids immunized according to the immunization schedule

recommended by your doctor. Kids should also avoid contact with anyone who already hasencephalitis.

In areas where encephalitis can be transmitted by insect bites, especially mosquitoes, kids should:

Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk (when mosquitoes are most active).

Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and long pants.

Use insect repellent.
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Also, all standing water around your home should be drained, including buckets, birdbaths,

flowerpots, and tire swings because these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

To avoid tick bites:

Limit kids' contact with soil, leaves, and vegetation.

Have kids wear long-sleeved, light-colored shirts and long pants when outdoors. Check your kids and your pets frequently for ticks.

Duration

For most forms of encephalitis, the acute phase of the illness (when symptoms are the most

severe) usually lasts up to a week. Full recovery can take much longer, often several weeks or

months.

Diagnosis

Doctors use several tests to diagnose encephalitis, including:

imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), to check the brain for swelling, bleeding, or other abnormalities

electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the electrical signals in the brain, to check for

abnormal brain waves

blood tests to confirm the presence of bacteria or viruses in the blood, and whether a

person is producing antibodies (specific proteins that fight infection) in response to a germ

lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, in which cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds thebrain and spinal cord) is checked for signs of infection

Treatment

Some children with very mild encephalitis can be monitored at home, but most will need care in a

hospital, usually in an intensive care unit. Doctors will carefully monitor their blood pressure,

heart rate, and breathing, as well as their body fluids, to prevent further swelling of the brain.

Because antibiotics aren't effective against viruses, they aren't used to treat encephalitis. However,antiviral drugs can be used to treat some forms of encephalitis, especially the type caused by the

herpes simplex virus. Corticosteroids may also be used in some cases to reduce brain swelling. If

a child is having seizures, anticonvulsants may also be given.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, like acetaminophen, can be used to treat fever andheadaches.

Many people with encephalitis make a full recovery. In some cases, swelling of the brain can lead

to permanent brain damage and lasting complications like learning disabilities, speech problems,

memory loss, or lack of muscle control. Speech, physical, or occupational therapy may be

necessary in these cases. It's difficult to predict the outcome for each patient at the time the illness
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begins, but some types of encephalitis are known to cause more serious complications, such as

Japanese Encephalitis

Rarely, if the brain damage is severe, encephalitis can lead to death. Infants younger than 1 year

and adults older than 55 are at greatest risk of death from encephalitis.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if your child has a high fever, especially if he or she also has a childhood illness

(measles, mumps, chickenpox) or is recovering from one.

Seek immediate medical attention if your child has any of the following symptoms:

severe headache

convulsions (seizures)

stiff neck

inability to look at bright lights

double vision difficulty walking

problems with speech or hearing

difficulty moving an arm or leg

loss of sensation anywhere in the body

sudden personality changes

problems with memory

extreme drowsiness or lethargy

loss of consciousness

If your infant has any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:

high fever or any fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) in infants younger than 3 months old

fullness or bulging in the soft spot

any stiffness

floppiness or decreased tone

lethargy

poor appetite or reduced feeding

vomiting

crying that won't stop

Assessment

1. Fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, mental status changes.2. Meningeal signs nuchal rigidity (stiff neck), photophobia.3. Seizures, motor deficits, personality changes.4. Signs of brain stem involvement, such as nystagmus, extraocular nerve palsies, hearing

loss, dysphagia, and respiratory dysfunction.
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Encephalitis Literally Means an Inflammation of the Brain

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