Encephalitis: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, usually caused by a viral infection. Although rare, it is potentially life-threatening, and may lead to permanent brain damage or death<ref>Brain foundation [https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/encephalitis/ Encephalitis] Available from:https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/encephalitis/ (last accessed 27.11.2020)</ref>. | Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, usually caused by a viral infection. Although rare, it is potentially life-threatening, and may lead to permanent brain damage or death<ref name=":1">Brain foundation [https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/encephalitis/ Encephalitis] Available from:https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/encephalitis/ (last accessed 27.11.2020)</ref>. | ||
Infectious encephalitis can be viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, or helminthic in etiology. | Infectious encephalitis can be viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, or helminthic in etiology. | ||
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# Acetaminophen | # Acetaminophen | ||
== | == Rehabilitation == | ||
Good rehabilitation is a holistic approach. It recognises the complex cognitive, behavioural, social, emotional and medical problems faced by people affected by encephalitis and their families. Complications of encephalitis may require the following services | |||
* Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, balance, motor coordination and mobility eg [[Therapeutic Exercise|Exercise therapy]]; [[Gait]] rehabilitation; [[Otago Exercise Programme|Otago]] Balance training | |||
* Occupational therapy to develop everyday skills and to use adaptive products that help with everyday activities | |||
* Speech therapy to relearn muscle control and coordination to produce speech | |||
* Psychotherapy to learn coping strategies and new behavioral skills to improve mood disorders or address personality changes<ref name=":1" /> | |||
== Differential Diagnosis == | == Differential Diagnosis == | ||
Revision as of 07:10, 27 November 2020
- Original Editor - Kehinde Fatola
Top Contributors - Kehinde Fatola, Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson and Nupur Smit Shah
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, usually caused by a viral infection. Although rare, it is potentially life-threatening, and may lead to permanent brain damage or death[1].
Infectious encephalitis can be viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, or helminthic in etiology.
The etiology of many cases of encephalitis remains unknown despite extensive workup. Viruses are the most prevalent identified cause, accounting for about 70% of confirmed cases of encephalitis[2].
The prognosis for a person with encephalitis varies according to the age of the patient – with the very young and very old particularly at risk – and the particular virus that caused the disease.
When encephalitis occur with meningitis, it is called meningoencephalitis. It is caused either as a direct infection or a sequela of a pre-existing condition. [3]
Causes[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis is caused by any of the following factors; [4]
- Viral infection, e.g rabies virus, HSV, poliovirus, mealses virus, bunyavirus, reovirus, etc [5]
- Bacterial infection, e.g mycoplasma, Lyme disease, Bartonella henselae, malaria, etc can result in encephalitis especially in immuno-compromised individuals.
- Autoimmune disorders
- Some types are of unknown aetiology
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
An adult infected with the disease typically present with; [6]
- Headache
- Confusion
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Seizures or convulsions
- Tremors
- Stroke
- Hallucinations
- Memory problems
An infant may present with; [7]
- Irritability
- Poor appetite
- Fever
Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis can be diagnosed using any of the following procedures; [3]
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect the inflammation
- Electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor the electrical activity of the brain
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Urine analysis
- Blood test
Medical Management[edit | edit source]
These may include; [3]
- Antiviral medications (for viral infection)
- Antibiotics (for bacterial infection)
- Steroids
- Sedatives
- Acetaminophen
Rehabilitation[edit | edit source]
Good rehabilitation is a holistic approach. It recognises the complex cognitive, behavioural, social, emotional and medical problems faced by people affected by encephalitis and their families. Complications of encephalitis may require the following services
- Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, balance, motor coordination and mobility eg Exercise therapy; Gait rehabilitation; Otago Balance training
- Occupational therapy to develop everyday skills and to use adaptive products that help with everyday activities
- Speech therapy to relearn muscle control and coordination to produce speech
- Psychotherapy to learn coping strategies and new behavioral skills to improve mood disorders or address personality changes[1]
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
- Leptospirosis
- CNS vasculitis
- Meningoencephalitis
- Stroke
- Meningitis
- Subdural empyema
- Meningeal carcinomatosis
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brain foundation Encephalitis Available from:https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/encephalitis/ (last accessed 27.11.2020)
- ↑ Said S, Kang M. Viral Encephalitis.2017 Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470162/ (last accessed 27.11.2020)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kennedy PGE. Viral Encephalitis: Causes, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2004;75 (suppl 1): i10–i15
- ↑ Larner AJ. Neuropsychological Neurology: The Neurocognitive Impairments of Neurological Disorders. 2013. Cambridge University Press.
- ↑ Fisher DL, Defres S, Solomon T. Measles-induced encephalitis. QJM. 2015; 108 (3): 177–182.
- ↑ Jmor F, Emsley HC, Fischer M. et al. The incidence of acute encephalitis syndrome in Western industrialised and tropical countries. Journal of Virology.2008; 5 (134): 134.
- ↑ Armangue T, Petit-Pedrol M, Dalmau J. Autoimmune Encephalitis in Children. Journal of child neurology. 2012; 27 (11): 1460–1469.
