Encephalitis - is an inflammatory process in the brain tissue caused by infections, toxic, allergic and metabolic causes.
Causes
There are two large groups of encephalitis:
- Primary encephalitis, which is initially striking is the brain,
- secondary encephalitis, wherein the brain injury is one of the symptoms of the disease.
Primary encephalitis can be caused by viruses, protozoa or microbes.
Secondary encephalitis may be a manifestation of allergies, Parasitosis, toxicity, drug overdose, metabolic disorders, etc.
types of encephalitis
Depending on a variety of criteria, there are several classifications of encephalitis, other than the above. Based on the severity of the flow can be identified hyperacute, acute, sub-acute, recurrent and chronic forms.
Depth and location of the lesion can be identified encephalitis with cerebellar, stem encephalitis, cortical or subcortical. When brain white matter lesions arise leykoentsefality, with lesions appear gray matter polientsefality, with full involvement of brain tissue necrosis occur panencephalitis phenomena or hemorrhages. Moreover, encephalitis might be complicated and uncomplicated.
The most basic and most common are:
- tick-borne encephalitis,
- mosquito or Japanese encephalitis,
- lethargic, epidemic encephalitis,
- flu-like encephalitis,
- measles encephalitis,
- postprivivochny encephalitis.
Diagnostics
The basis of the diagnosis of encephalitis - clinical manifestations, cerebral symptoms and indications of a tick bite, the mosquito, childhood infections or vaccinations. When this is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of pathogen isolation by a blood test or identification of other reasons - allergens, antibodies, toxins.
needed:
- general and biochemical blood tests, urine tests,
- blood cultures for sterility,
- puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid,
- holding or REG EEG, The study of the fundus,
- holding or CT MRI,
- if necessary, a biopsy is performed.
Differential diagnosis is necessary between various types of encephalitis, between primary and secondary forms, as well as between encephalitis and meningitis, Toxic encephalopathy.
symptoms of encephalitis
The clinical manifestations of encephalitis may be quite different depending on the cause and the defeat of the depth, from initial primary or secondary have been defeated. But in general, common features can be identified among all the encephalitis.
The incubation period varies with encephalitis from one to two weeks, with encephalitis secondary nature it is not - they occur against the background of existing disease.
The first signs of encephalitis can be a constant weakness in the limbs, both arms and legs, pain and discomfort in the neck muscles and neck.
The specifics of the current and signs attached to their causes, and the degree of symptoms, the time of their occurrence can be different.
Encephalitis usually occurs in acute form with chills, severe fever to a few days. May be
- malaise,
- excruciating headache, at the height of her with nausea and vomiting, not bringing simplification,
- sleep disorders, and insomnia,
- impotence.
This may be sharp skin redness, upper chest and neck, redness oral cavity and pharynx.
Can be aches and pains in the body and joints, muscle pain. In some cases, encephalitis may be in varying degrees of impaired consciousness - from a light misting up a deep coma with the lack of response to stimuli.
Most often encephalitis are mild or moderate severity.
Encephalitis primary forms
When primary forms of encephalitis may be acute or subacute onset of disease may first appear
- Symptoms of toxicity,
- headaches of increasing intensity,
- severe weakness,
- fever.
Against the background of these symptoms occur mozhgut impaired consciousness - the patient can not accurately navigate in space or the time may be symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, visual, gustatory, audible or tactile character.
The middle cerebral stage lasts a few days, but severe forms can produce complications or becomes chronic.
Encephalitis secondary form
In secondary forms against the background of an existing infection or physical illness can dramatically on the type of stroke neurological manifestations occur - there are signs of cerebral vascular accidents or edema.
Neurological symptoms may change over time - the mind is disturbed by a light stupor to coma.
Manifestations of cerebral symptoms in encephalitis can be paralysis or paresis of the limbs or muscles of the body, seizures epilepsy, Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure, intellectual disability, psychosis.
encephalitis treatment
Primarily. When known pathogens are active therapy for its suppression - antiviral, interferon, antibiotics intravenously in large doses.
To combat swelling of the brain shows a strong diuretic and dehydration - lasix furosemide, mannitol.
In allergy shown antihistamines, hormone therapy (prednisone, hydrocortisone).
To improve supply of brain tissue designate drip solutions of dextran, glucose, insulin, potassium chloride, isotonic solution.
If necessary, apply mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy, therapy for heart and blood vessels, vitamins, drugs for improving brain metabolism - piracetam, cinnarizine, cavinton.
If necessary, a anticonvulsant, antipsychotic therapy used antipyretic and lytic mixture antidepressants.
Complications and prognosis
To one of the main complications include coma and development deaths, organic brain damage and the development of irreversible paralysis and paresis. All of these complications result in disability.
Most of encephalitis, which treatment is started on time, takes place not heavy ends recovery.
