Brain Disorders & Therapy

Symptoms and Management of Encephalitis

Romergryko Geocadin^* Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
^*Correspondence: Romergryko Geocadin, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA, Email:

Received: 01-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. BDT-22-17634; Editor assigned: 04-Jul-2022, Pre QC No. BDT-22-17634 (PQ); Reviewed: 18-Jul-2022, QC No. BDT-22-17634; Revised: 25-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. BDT-22-17634 (R); Published: 01-Aug-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2168-975X.22.11.163

Description

The inflammation of the brain is encephalitis. Infections with viruses are frequently the cause of encephalitis. Flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or excruciating headaches, can be brought on by encephalitis. Additionally, it may result in seizures, fuzziness of thought, or issues with movement or senses. Even though they are relatively rare, severe encephalitis cases can be fatal. It's crucial to get a prompt diagnosis and treatment for encephalitis because the course of any given case can be unpredictable.

In addition, there are various encephalitis types that are spread by ticks and mosquitoes, including tick-borne encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis. Rabies can also lead to encephalitis. To lessen the impact of the infection, patients can take antiviral, antibiotic, sedative, and steroid medications.

Neuropsychological dysfunction that is diffuse or focused is a symptom of encephalitis. Although the brain is where it mostly occurs, the meninges are also frequently affected (meningoencephalitis). Although both meningitis and encephalitis can be present clinically and exhibit signs and symptoms of meningeal inflammation, they are distinct from one another from an epidemiologic and pathophysiologic standpoint. Additionally, it differs from cerebritis.

Signs and symptoms

Fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and myalgias are frequently present during the viral prodrome.

The following are symptoms connected to particular encephalitis types:

Encephalitis brought on by the measles, varicella-zoster, Epstein- Barr, cytomegalovirus, or mumps viruses: Hepatosplenomegaly, parotid enlargement, lymphadenopathy, and rash.

Dysuria and pyuria as symptoms of St Louis encephalitis

Extreme lethargy is a symptom of West Nile Encephalitis (WNE).

Encephalopathy with diffuse or focal neurologic symptoms, such as the following, constitutes the classic presentation:

• Changes in behavior and personality along with a lower level of consciousness

• Headache and stiffness

• Photophobia

• Lethargy

• Focal or generalised seizures (60 percent of children with California virus Encephalitis (CE)

• Amnestic or acutely confused states

• A flexural paralysis (10 percent of patients with WNE)

When the brain parenchyma is inflamed, encephalitis can manifest as diffuse or focused neuropsychological dysfunction. Meninges are frequently affected even though the brain is the primary component (meningoencephalitis).

On a clinical level, both meningitis and encephalitis may be present, along with signs and symptoms of meningeal inflammation like photophobia, headaches, and stiff neck. However, from an epidemiologic and pathophysiologic perspective, encephalitis is distinct from meningitis. Additionally, it differs from cerebritis. While acute encephalitis is typically a viral infection with parenchymal damage ranging from mild to profound, cerebritis describes the stage prior to abscess formation and implies a highly destructive bacterial infection of brain tissue.

Even though bacterial, fungal, and autoimmune conditions can cause encephalitis, the majority of cases are caused by viruses. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is the most common cause of encephalitis in the United States, where there is a prevalence of 1 case per 200,000 people. The Emergency Department (ED) physician is most likely to come across toxoplasmosis in an immune-compromised host when taking into account the subacute and chronic encephalopathies.

The epidemiology, mortality, morbidity, and clinical presentation of the relatively common acute arboviral encephalitides vary greatly, and there is no effective treatment for these infections. However, it's crucial to make an effort to differentiate these acute arboviral encephalitides from the treatable acute viral encephalitides brought on by varicella or herpes simplex.

Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE), which can be fatal if left untreated, can occur sporadically in healthy and immunecompromised adults as well as in newborns who were infected at birth during vaginal delivery. In patients with compromised immune systems, Varicella-zoster Virus Encephalitis (VZVE) poses a serious risk to life. The early detection and prompt treatment of HSE or VZVE can save lives. Acyclovir should be started in the Emergency Department (ED) for any patient whose Central Nervous System (CNS) presentation is suggestive of viral encephalitis, particularly in the presence of fever, encephalopathy, or focal findings, as well as for all neonates who appear ill and for whom a CNS infection is being considered.