This disease, like encephalitis, got its name from the Greek word. It means inflammatory diseases of the brain. Has severe consequences. Symptoms of encephalitis in adults appear depending on the severity of inflammation.
Patients with this diagnosis usually feel very ill and need intensive treatment.
The main types of the disease and the viruses that cause it
There are two types of disease:
- Primary. Here the causative agent is the so-called neurotrophic viruses.
- Secondary. We are talking about inflammation of the brain, which develops as a complication of another - the underlying disease.
Among the most common reasons for the development of the latter are the following:
- Tick-borne encephalitis.
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
- Rabies caused by Lasa fever.
- Polio.
- Virusherpes.
- Subacute sclerosing measles panencephalitis.
Children's viruses that can cause brain inflammation:
- Chickenpox (very rare).
- Measles
- Rubella.
Other common disease causing viruses:
- Mumps.
- Epstein-Barr virus.
- AIDS.
- HIV
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
The following are some of the pathogens and symptoms of encephalitis in adults.
Tick-borne encephalitis
Tick bite promotes inflammation of the meninges and the brain itself. The causative agent of the disease is transmitted to humans through a bite. In half of the individuals infected with the virus, the disease proceeds completely unnoticed and without consequences. CE is transmitted, as a rule, very quickly. The insect must be removed immediately using tweezers or other available means.
From one person to another, a viral infection is not transmitted. The incubation period ranges from three days to several weeks.
Signs of encephalitis after a bite:
- fever;
- headache;
- pain in limbs.
In many cases, CE leads to meningitis, with the following symptoms:
- severe headache and fever;
- confusion;
- stiff neck;
- loss of consciousness.
Relatively rare tick-borne encephalitis leads to death, only in those casesif a person did not ask for help on time or he has a weak immune system. In 1-2% of all cases, this virus affects the central nervous system. In general, 10 to 20% of patients suffer from severe clinical and psychiatric manifestations. Among them are weakness and depression.
Other viruses that cause disease
The infection is caused by the pathogen Rickettsia, it is a carrier of lice.
Anti-fungal viruses affect most of the immunocompromised individuals. The most famous causative agents of the disease are Candida albacans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus. These antifungal viruses form blood clots, abscesses in the brain tissue. They contribute to the occurrence of a heart attack and the formation of pus.
Rabies caused by Lasa fever is very dangerous. Symptoms of encephalitis in adults appear after 3-8 weeks.
Polio is also associated with damage to the medulla, the main causative agent is the polio virus.
Herpetic encephalitis is the result of infection with herpes simplex types 1 and 2. HSV-2 is more common in childhood.
Encephalitis in AIDS and HIV can also affect brain tissue. The disease may be subacute or progress to meningitis.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is most common in newborns and immunocompromised people.
Subacute sclerosing measles panencephalitis occurs in children and adolescents. This infection leads to death after a few months. It is possible that a person with this virus will live up to two years, but such cases are enoughrare.
A group of viruses transmitted by arthropods
Arboviruses are carried by insects. The type of infection that is transmitted depends on the type of arthropod.
- California encephalitis (also called La Crosse) is transmitted by mosquito bites and mainly affects children. Causes several symptoms in adults, such as headache, nausea and high fever.
- St. Louis encephalitis is often found in individuals living in rural areas of Western countries. It comes with many symptoms. Among them are vomiting, headache and fever, meningeal symptoms, pain in muscle fibers. This virus can cause paresis of the limbs. What it is, your doctor will tell you in more detail. But they are characterized by a decrease in strength in the muscles, their weakness.
- West Nile virus is most common in Africa and the Middle East. However, it can also be caught in the United States. It causes flu-like symptoms. May cause death in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
- Colorado encephalitis (also called Colorado tick fever). Most people with this virus recover quickly.
- Eastern encephalitis is caused by mosquito bites. It affects people and horses. Of all cases, 33% were fatal.
- Kiazanur is a forest disease transmitted by tick bites. Hunters, tourists and farmers are at greater risk of acquiring the disease.
Factors of disease occurrence
KThe groups most at risk include:
- older people;
- small children in their first year of life;
- people with weakened immune systems.
You may also be at higher risk of getting encephalitis if you live in an area where ticks and mosquitoes are common.
More likely to get encephalitis from an insect bite in summer and autumn.
Typical signs of pathology
Although the disease has different origins, in many cases the symptoms of encephalitis in adults are the same. Milder cases, especially with viral infections, show the following symptoms:
- headache of varying intensity;
- photophobia;
- fever;
- fatigue;
- nausea.
Serious infections requiring hospital treatment have the following symptoms:
- severe headaches, possible migraine;
- nausea and fever;
- disorder and confusion;
- expressed muscle weakness;
- incomprehensible speech;
- loss of consciousness.
Acute manifestations of the disease
In addition to the main symptoms, in very severe cases there is sensitivity to light, mood swings, disorientation, hallucinations, convulsions, coma, irritability, drowsiness, unconsciousness, paresis of the limbs. What it is? Paralysis is manifested either by slow movements and weakness in the muscles, or by completeloss of active movements.
If a newborn or child under one year of age has the following symptoms, call a doctor immediately:
- vomit;
- swelling fontanel;
- constant crying;
- poor appetite;
- stiffness;
- fever.
Disease diagnosis
Since the symptoms of encephalitis in adults are quite typical, the doctor, as a rule, after describing them, suspects the presence of this disease and refers the patient to the clinic.
They can then do the following tests if encephalitis is suspected:
- Spinal puncture.
- Brain scan with CT or MRI.
- Electroencephalograph (EEG).
- Brain biopsy.
In the clinic, the patient takes all the necessary tests, including blood tests for encephalitis. This is necessary in order to exclude other diseases. A blood test will show the first signs of inflammatory processes and protective reactions in the body. This is indicated by an increased number of leukocytes in the blood.
Spinal puncture study provides more accurate information about the nature of encephalitis.
With the help of magnetic resonance or computed tomography, the attending physician can rule out brain tumors and cerebral hemorrhages. In addition, edema can be detected if present.
An analysis for tick-borne encephalitis, if the disease is present, will show an increase in ESR, moderate leukocytosis, an increase in antibody titer, and most importantly, an existing bite.
Despiterapid detection of the disease and treatment, partly everything ends with tragic consequences. In some types of bacterial encephalitis, the mortality of patients is 50%. In addition, there may be dire consequences.
Basic Therapies
Treatment of inflammation of the brain directly depends on which pathogen caused the disease. In bacterial encephalitis, antibiotics are used to prevent the spread of bacteria and kill them. So-called antimycotics are used against fungal viruses (Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Ketaconazole, Amphotericin, Nystatin). Many species do not have a germicide.
In the course of the fight against the causes of the disease called encephalitis, the symptoms (treatment in this case should be the most effective) will go away simultaneously with the virus that caused it. Pain, fever will gradually stop, blood circulation will stabilize.
Treatment is carried out in a hospital, because paralysis, convulsions and other symptoms must be responded to quickly, and an ambulance, as a rule, cannot always arrive on time. Intense medical care and several weeks of immobility are often required.
The sooner the diagnosis is made, the sooner treatment will begin and possibly recovery.
Antiviral drugs can help treat herpes encephalitis. But they are ineffective in the fight against other causes and viruses of the disease. Instead, very often therapy is needed toalleviate the manifestations of the disease. These treatments may include rest and reception;
- anticonvulsants;
- painkillers;
- corticosteroids (to reduce brain inflammation);
- antipyretic;
- sedatives (for those with mental disorders);
- injection.
If cerebral edema, paresis and convulsive manifestations are observed, the patient must be hospitalized without fail.
Complications of the disease
Most patients diagnosed with encephalitis face severe consequences:
- bad memory or memory loss;
- psychic personality changes;
- epileptic seizures;
- chronic fatigue;
- physical impotence;
- disability;
- lack of muscle coordination;
- vision problems;
- hearing impairment;
- coma;
- shortness of breath;
- death.
Complications are more likely to develop in certain groups such as:
- older people;
- patients who had coma symptoms;
- patients who have not received timely treatment.
Forecasting
Prognosis depends on the nature and severity of encephalitis. Some patients do not experience any serious disorders, but in severe forms of the disease, difficulties may remain in the form of problems with sleep, concentration, coordination of movements, dementia, various paralysis, etc.
Your prognosis will depend on the severityinflammation. In mild cases, the inflammatory process is likely to disappear after a few days. However, in severe cases, recovery may take weeks or months.
Depending on the type and severity of the disease, some patients may require additional treatment, including:
- physiotherapy (essential for strength, coordination, balance and flexibility);
- occupational therapy;
- speech therapy (needed to help learn to control the muscles needed for speech);
- psychotherapy (help with coping strategies, mood disorders or personality changes).
Disease prevention
Encephalitis is not always preventable, but you can reduce your risk by getting vaccinated on time. You must ensure that your children also receive the appropriate vaccinations.
Active immunization of the population through vaccination provides good protection. It is especially recommended for people staying in high-risk areas (for example, lumberjacks).
Vaccination is recommended every 10 years. If you don't have one, ask your therapist when and where you can get one.
It is important to use mosquito repellent. In areas where ticks and mosquitoes can be found, wear long sleeves and trousers.
