Encephalitis is a group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the brain caused by microorganisms that enter it. Encephalitis of the brain can, in some cases, occur in a very mild form, or maybe in a very severe form, sometimes ending in death.
Encephalitis are primary and secondary. Tick-borne, mosquito, epidemic, herpetic, enterovirus, etc. are referred to primary. Secondary - due to various microbial flora and occur as complications against measles, flu, typhoid, brain abscess, toxoplasmosis, scarlet fever, osteomyelitis and other diseases.
Brain encephalitis can occur in the form of isolated cases or epidemic outbreaks. The disease is more common among children and young people. In rural areas, encephalitis is usually caused by a virus transmitted by ticks or mosquitoes. You can get infected in other ways - through milk from a cow or goat infected with a virus. In cities, the disease is most often caused by enteroviruses present in the digestive tract, which are then excreted with feces.
The severity of symptoms of encephalitis varies greatly. A disease caused by a mosquito or tick bite can go easily and even go unnoticed, and can lead to death. Caused by the herpes virus, it can also pass in a mild form or acute, very dangerous, even fatal.
Brain encephalitis often develops acutely, with headache, vomiting, fever up to 39-40C. Some of its species begin with general weakness, malaise, catarrhal symptoms (cough, runny nose), headache, and fever. In especially severe cases, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, delirium, seizures are observed.
Some encephalitis in the chronic period proceed with different clinical manifestations of the disease. For example, chronic epidemic brain encephalitis is characterized by Parkinson's syndrome, when facial expressions become inexpressive, gait becomes difficult and becomes mincing or shuffling, an increase in muscle tone, and trembling of the hands are observed. With tick-borne encephalitis , Kozhevnikovsky epilepsy develops: clonic convulsions (rapid involuntary movements of the trunk and extremities), which often turn into a common seizure.
Encephalitis of the brain: consequences
The consequences of the disease, whether it is mosquito, tick-borne, influenza or enterovirus encephalitis, depend on the characteristics in the clinical picture. Either full recovery can occur, without consequences, or for many years various residual effects may persist, such as a lack of coordination, weakness in the limbs, involuntary movements, convulsive seizures, and paralysis. Many patients for a long time after recovery complain of fatigue, poor sleep, headache, memory loss, can not perform mental, as well as physical work familiar to the disease.
Brain encephalitis necessarily treated in a hospital. With all types of encephalitis, to reduce intracranial pressure and reduce brain edema, a solution of mannitol, magnesium sulfate, lasix is prescribed. Prescribe vitamins B and C groups, nootropic drugs (cerebrolysin, nootropil, encephabol, etc.), calcium preparations. In acute epidemic encephalitis, sulfamide drugs (sulfadimesin, etazole), corticosteroids (prednisone), and the administration of urotropine are used. When tick-borne - enter hyperimmune horse serum, ribonuclease, specific g-globulin. In the chronic stage, with Kozhevnikovsky epilepsy, anticonvulsants are used, with parkinsonism - antiparkinsonian drugs.
In order to prevent diseases, people working in disadvantaged areas (geologists, hunters, rafters, loggers) are given preventive vaccinations. In addition, they are advised to wear protective clothing and apply repellents and protective nets.
Prevention of enteroviral encephalitis is carried out as with any other intestinal diseases, including national measures.