Encephalitis

Synonymously referred to Acute Viral Encephalitis, this type of disease is characterized by the inflammation or swelling of the brain due to viral infection, usually in children, seniors over the age of 55, or individuals, such as HIV/AIDS-infected, who have immune deficiency. As a matter of fact, Encephalitis is so rare that it strikes only 0.5% of every 100,000 people.

Still, Encephalitis is a dangerously infectious disease that can, in even rare circumstances, result in death. Most of the time, however, victims of the disease are overcome with sickness and delirium.

Encephalitis symptoms include fever; headaches; low to non-existent appetite; disorientation, drowsiness, confusion, memory loss and/or even hallucinations; lethargy (sluggishness; lack of energy), also known as Encephalitic Lethargica; speech and/or hearing impairment; Fybromyalgia (an overall sick feeling); seizures and/or convulsions; and even coma. Specifically when it comes to infants, however, a bulging soft spot, stiffness, vomiting, and non-stop crying serve as indications of Encephalitis. A surefire sign with babies is the increased crying when handled.

Causes of Encephalitis are exclusive to viruses, but those viruses could come from a plethora of sources, usually insects. The most common, and without a doubt the most dangerous, is the Herpes Simplex (HSV), which is the direct instigator for Herpes Encephalitis and HSV Encephalitis. Lyme disease complications are yet another means of contracting Encephalitis, where the virus is passed on through ticks or rabies. Another common source of the dreaded virus is mosquitoes. As a matter of fact, many if not most forms of Encephalitis, including St. Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Equine Encephalitis, Hepatic Encephalitis, West Nile Encephalitis and Lacrosse Encephalitis, are derived from mosquito bites. Japanese Encephalitis is similar, as it is contracted in agricultural communities of Asia, and Horse Encephalitis is presumably the source of both Equine and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. St Louis encephalitis, like Lacrosse Encephalitis, is a type indigenous to north central and northwestern United States.

Treatments usually require testing, medication and rest, as Encephalitis resolves itself with time. A blood test, of course, checks for parasites, viruses, or bacteria in the blood. Similarly, a lumbar puncture (or spinal tap) examines a sample of cerebrospinal fluid to ascertain the presence and/or degree of infection. An Electroencephalogram (EEG) is necessary to establish brain wave patterns early on in order to establish the state of brain function. This is probably the first thing typically done in the process of treatment.

Antiviral drugs specifically combat the Herpes Simplex virus, so this is always necessary, especially since viral infections are typically resistant to antibiotic medication. Other types of medication include: Cortico Steroids for decreasing brain swelling, anticonvulsants for averting seizures, and Acetaminaphen for reducing fever and eliminating headaches. Altogether, a number of different solutions help to eradicate Encephalitis.

Encephalitis is by all means a very nasty disease, and surprising it is that such a condition can disappear on its own. Despite the disease’s rarity, if anyone’s infant children or retired parents or grand parents exhibit any symptoms described about, a visit to the hospital would be a very prudent measure.