Encephalitis: Difference between revisions
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== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Encephalitis is caused by any of the following factors; | Encephalitis is caused by any of the following factors; <ref>Larner AJ. Neuropsychological Neurology: The Neurocognitive Impairments of Neurological Disorders. 2013. Cambridge University Press.</ref> | ||
* Viral infection, e.g rabies virus, HSV, poliovirus, mealses virus, bunyavirus, reovirus, etc | * Viral infection, e.g rabies virus, HSV, poliovirus, mealses virus, bunyavirus, reovirus, etc | ||
* Bacterial infection, e.g mycoplasma, Lyme disease, Bartonella henselae, malaria, etc can result in encephalitis especially in immuno-compromised individuals. | * Bacterial infection, e.g mycoplasma, Lyme disease, Bartonella henselae, malaria, etc can result in encephalitis especially in immuno-compromised individuals. |
Revision as of 12:34, 22 November 2020
- Original Editor - Kehinde Fatola
Top Contributors - MeningitisKehinde Fatola, Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson and Nupur Smit Shah
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis is a very severe infection caused by the inflammation of the brain tissues. 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. [1]
Causes[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis is caused by any of the following factors; [2]
- Viral infection, e.g rabies virus, HSV, poliovirus, mealses virus, bunyavirus, reovirus, etc
- 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;
- Headache
- Confusion
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Seizures or convulsions
- Tremors
- Stroke
- Hallucinations
- Memory problems
An infant may present with;
- Irritability
- Poor appetite
- Fever
Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis can be diagnosed using any of the following procedures;
- 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]
- Antiviral medications (for viral infection)
- Antibiotics (for bacterial infection)
- Steroids
- Sedatives
- Acetaminophen
Physiotherapy Management / Interventions[edit | edit source]
- Exercise therapy
- Gait rehabilitation
- Manual therapy
- Passive motion procedures
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
- Leptospirosis
- CNS vasculitis
- Meningoencephalitis
- Stroke
- Meningitis
- Subdural empyema
- Meningeal carcinomatosis
Resources[edit | edit source]
add appropriate resources here