Encephalitis

موضوع: Encephalitis الأربعاء نوفمبر 09, 2011 4:44 pm

Encephalitis

What is encephalitis?
Encephalitis is a medical emergency and refers to inflammation of
the brain tissue; this can also involve the membranes of the brain.

What causes encephalitis?
Encephalitis is usually due to an infection caused by a virus or, less commonly, a bacteria or fungi.

Several viruses are known to cause this disease, including measles,
chickenpox, herpes, mumps, etc. Bacterial infection
(staphylococci), syphilis and HIV can also be a cause.

It's not always possible to identify the type of infection from the
symptoms or examination. Further tests are necessary to establish
this.

What are the symptoms?

Headache, often severe.
Stiffness of the neck.
Fever.
Confusion.
In rare cases, convulsion or paralysis of the arms and legs.
Photophobia (dislike of bright light).
Psychiatric symptoms.

If someone with flu-like symptoms becomes confused, you should seek emergency medical advice.

How does the doctor make a diagnosis?
If encephalitis is suspected, the following examinations and tests are usually performed:

physical and neurological examination
collection and examination of spinal fluid for signs of inflammation and infection
in some cases a cultivation of the spinal fluid is made to make a diagnosis
in most cases a computerised tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is required
EEG (electroencephalography – tracing of electrical activity of the brain).

How is encephalitis treated?
The patient should be hospitalised immediately and given antiviral or antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine.

These are most often given by intramuscular or intravenous injections.

Medicines to relieve symptoms, such as headaches or post encephalitic fits, will also be given.

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موضوع: رد: Encephalitis الخميس نوفمبر 10, 2011 8:27 am

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