The encephalitis it is an inflammatory pathology of the nervous system. Different medical conditions that lead to inflammation can produce a wide variety of symptoms: fever, headache, seizures, behavioral changes, confusion, brain damage, or even death..
Specifically, when inflammation refers to the brain and spinal cord, the pathology is called encephalitis. Unlike meningitis, which causes inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord, meninges.
Thus, encephalitis is defined as an inflammatory process of the central nervous system that is associated with clinically evident neurological dysfunction. Although this pathology can be the result of multiple etiological agents, many of them common to meningitis, in general the most recurrent cause is viruses.
The signs and symptoms of encephalitis will depend to a great extent on the etiological causes and the severity of the pathology, although we can distinguish some very common in most cases: symptoms related to flu processes, alterations in hearing, speech, double vision, loss of consciousness, numbness in some areas of the body, muscle weakness, partial paralysis in the upper and lower extremities, significant memory problems, seizures, among others.
Despite being a treatable medical condition, it puts the survival of the individual at serious risk. When many of the signs described above appear suddenly, urgent medical treatment will be essential..
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Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which occurs as a result of the presence of an infectious process. The most common cause of encephalitis is viruses.
As in other inflammatory diseases, meningitis can cause an elevated body temperature, recurrent headache, confusion, seizures, problems in processing stimulation or in the control and coordination of movements.
Many of the diagnosed cases of encephalitis may present mild symptoms or even lack of them. However, in the most severe cases, symptoms can put a person's survival at risk..
Due mainly to the differential involvement of inflammation in brain structures, the course of encephalitis can be very heterogeneous and unpredictable in an individual case..
Especially due to the contiguity of the areas and structures that make up our central nervous system, it is possible that mixed quarters are present:
- Meningoencephalitis: when inflammation affects both the brain and the meninges.
- Encephalitis: inflammation exclusively affects the brain.
- Myelitis: when inflammation exclusively affects the spinal cord.
- Encephalomyelitis: when inflammation affects the brain and spinal cord together.
As we have pointed out previously, a large number of cases of encephalitis occur as a result of the action of a virus. People with this type of condition may present an asymptomatic state or begin to develop some mild symptoms related to the flu..
Symptoms usually begin to appear 2 to 3 weeks after contracting the virus that will trigger it..
- Headache.
- High body temperature.
- Muscle and joint aches and pains.
- Tiredness, weakness, fatigue.
- Significant sleepiness.
- Recurrent and severe headache.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Alterations in the level of consciousness.
- Agitation and / or confusion.
- Behavioral disturbances.
- Paralysis and loss of sensation in body regions.
- Muscular weakness.
- Alterations in movement control and coordination.
- Double vision.
- Hallucinations.
- Hearing and speech disturbances.
- Seizures.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Constant and recurring crying.
- Lack of appetite.
- Lumps in the soft areas of the skull of babies.
Many of these symptoms will require emergency medical intervention, especially those that refer to the occurrence of seizures, loss of consciousness, muscle paralysis, among others..
In general, encephalitis is usually classified into two types:
This type of encephalitis is also called acute viral encephalitis and is caused by a direct infection of the spinal cord and brain by a virus..
In this type we can distinguish the post-infectious that develop as a complication of the current presence of another type of virus, and the acute disseminated encephalitis that occurs as a consequence of a previous immunization or viral infection..
Encephalitis is caused by an infectious process. It can be caused by the action of different bacteria, or more frequently by viral infections.
In the case of the United States, most of the encephalitis cases are due to the herpes simplex virus, the bite of an animal that transmits the rabies virus, or to arbovirs that can be transmitted by different insects (ticks, mosquitoes , etc).
The Mayo Clinic points out some of the most common viruses that can infect the nervous system:
- Herpes simplex virus: type 1 and type 2.
- Others: Esptein-Barr, Varicella-Zooster.
- Enterovirus: Polio, Coxsackie Virus.
- Mosquito-borne viruses: can cause West Nile, La Crosse, St. Louis encephalitis, equine encephalitis, among others.
- Viruses transmitted by ticks and other animals: Powassan virus, rabies virus.
- Childhood infections: rubella, mumps, measles.
Below we are going to describe some of the most common etiological causes in the US:
Approximately 10% of encephalitis cases are due to the action of this type of virus. This type of encephalitis can develop due to the action of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (produces sores and blisters in the mouth and around the eyes) and the herpes simplex virus type 2 (genital herpes).
It usually progresses rapidly and is life threatening if left untreated. These viruses are transmitted by contact with an infected person.
This type of encephalitis is caused by the action of a virus that is carried by ticks. After the bite, approximately 10 days later or earlier, symptoms such as nausea, partial paralysis or coma appear. Severe neurological damage occurs in more than 50%.
It is a type of viral encephalitis transmitted by mosquito bites and affects both horses and humans. In the case of humans, symptoms begin to develop 4-10 days after the bite. More than half of infected patients die.
It is also a type of encephalitis that is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. Most cases occur in children and usually appear approximately 5 days after the bite. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, and vomiting.
It is common in children and older adults. Symptoms appear 7 days after the bite and some complications such as tremors, disorientation, seizures and even alterations in the level of consciousness may appear..
This type of encephalitis can occur due to a mosquito bite, organ transplant, or infected blood transfusion..
Symptoms related to rashes, fever, headache, and joint pain usually appear. Most common among children and motor adults with a weakened immune system.
Anyone who is exposed to any of the conditions described in the previous section can develop encephalitis. However, a number of factors have been identified that can increase risk:
Both children and older adults may be at higher risk for some types of viral encephalitis due to the increased susceptibility of their immune systems.
Those who are under treatment with immunosuppressants or have pathologies related to the immune system may have a higher risk of contracting viral encephalitis.
There are some types of meningitis that are transmitted by mosquito or tick bites that are more common in some specific areas.
Viruses that are transmitted by insects are more frequent in spring, summer and fall, the warmest months of the year..
In the diagnosis of encephalitis, it is essential to collect all the relevant information regarding symptoms, risk factors and medical history..
In addition, the use of some diagnostic tests is also necessary:
If there are symptoms compatible with the presence of an inflammatory disorder such as encephalitis, the use of brain imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance or tomography, can help us identify those areas that present inflammation.
It is used to remove a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid and identify the presence of blood cells and proteins that indicate the presence of infection or inflammation..
They are used to identify the presence of indicators of infection.
Antiviral drugs are usually used to treat encephalitis that is viral in origin. In addition, antibiotics are used in the case of bacterial encephalitis..
In parallel to these therapeutic measures, other types of measures are usually used to reduce or control some symptoms:
- Anticonvulsants: they are used to reduce the occurrence of seizures and the probability of developing secondary brain damage.
- Cortico steroids: they are often used to reduce inflammation of brain structures.
- Analgesics and antipyretics: used to reduce headache and body temperature.
People who suffer from pathologies related to inflammation of areas of the nervous system should receive urgent medical attention, they are generally hospitalized both for tests to confirm the diagnosis and for early therapeutic intervention..
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