16/11/2022
Study sessions with Dr Heena
Encephalitis
Definition: Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain become acute inflammation. The mainly caused by viral infection or immune system malfunction. Virus cause about 70% of encephalitis cases with young children (age 1 year and under) and older adults (age 65 years and over) being the most susceptible age demographics.
Types: Different types of encephalitis have different causes:
1) Japanese encephalitis and Eastern equine encephalitis- Spread through mosquito bites.
2) Tick-born encephalitis- Spreads through infectious ticks.
3) Rabies can spread through the bites or scratches of infectious animals.
How Encephalitis is different from meningitis: Both conditions are uncommon but sever.
๏ถ Encephalitis occurs in the brain.
๏ถ Meningitis affects the meninges. This delicate layer of tissue protects the brain and spinal cord.
Causes: The except cause of encephalitis is often unknown. Auto immune inflammation, viral and bacterial infections and non infectious inflammatory conditions all can causes encephalitis.
๏ถ Viral infections: Very rare commonly causes cold sores (Herpes simplex type 1 and 2) chicken pox (Herpes varicella), Zika, Chikungunya, Rabies virus (Transmitted by a bites from an infected animals).
๏ถ Childhood virus: Including Measles (RUbeola) and Mumps (Rubella)
๏ถ Problem with immune system-the immune system can mistakenly attack the brain causing auto immune encephalitis.
๏ถ Bacterial and fungal infections: These are much rare causes of encephalitis than viral infections.
Symptoms: Encephalitis sometimes starts off with flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature and headache.
๏ Headache.
๏ Stiff neck.
๏ Fever.
๏ Fatigue or weakness.
๏ Aches in muscles or joints.
Sometimes the signs and symptoms are more sever:
๏ Confusion, Hallucinations,
๏ Seizure.
๏ Muscle weakness.
๏ Loss of sensation.
๏ Loss of consciousness (Including coma)
๏ Problems with speech or hearing.
In infants and young children (Sign/Symptoms:
๏ Bulging in the soft spots of and infantโs skull.
๏ Nausea and vomiting.
๏ Body stiffness.
๏ Poor feeding.