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Encephalitis
How is encephalitis treated?
The treatment of encephalitis first and foremost involves targeting the pathogen, which includes comprehensive antiviral treatment. After thorough antiviral therapy, the virus can be killed, and the symptoms of encephalitis can fundamentally be alleviated. Secondly, the use of corticosteroids can be combined. Corticosteroids help to suppress inflammatory responses, inhibit excessively activated immune dysfunction, and can reduce cerebral edema, which is beneficial for the recovery from the disease. Third, symptomatic treatment is necessary. If an encephalitis patient experiences symptoms like intracranial hypertension, headache, nausea, and vomiting, some dehydrating drugs to reduce intracranial pressure are needed. If the headache is severe, appropriate symptomatic treatment drugs should be administered. Fourth, it is important to prevent complications. For example, encephalitis often also causes damage to the liver and heart. It is crucial to protect the liver and heart and also to prevent complications such as electrolyte disorders.
Symptoms of encephalitis in children
Encephalitis in children is generally caused by viral infections, leading to inflammation that naturally results in symptoms like fever. Thus, fever is the most common symptom of pediatric encephalitis, with some body temperatures reaching extremely high levels, even above 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, patients also experience significant headaches, nausea, and vomiting due to inflammation or increased intracranial pressure. Furthermore, patients often feel discomfort in the occipital and cervical regions, which is a sign of meningeal irritation. If the encephalitis symptoms are very severe, severely affecting the cerebrospinal fluid, the patient may even experience limb paralysis, epileptic seizures, limb convulsions, and frothing at the mouth. Some patients also suddenly exhibit cognitive dysfunction, becoming dull in response, with noticeable impairment in attention, memory, calculation, and judgment abilities. Some children may exhibit psychological symptoms and must receive timely treatment.
Encephalitis MRI manifestations
Encephalitis, commonly referred to, is generally viral encephalitis. Herpes simplex viral encephalitis, a type of viral encephalitis, typically shows distinct manifestations in brain MRI scans. For instance, the patient's MRI may reveal high T2 signals in several areas of the cerebral cortex, particularly in the frontal and temporal lobes, and the hippocampus. If there are subsequent hemorrhagic changes, high signals will also appear on T1-weighted images. Additionally, the MRI of encephalitis may display diffusion-weighted imaging with unusually bright signals, and these signals do not follow a vascular distribution, which strongly suggests encephalitis. Patients with encephalitis generally exhibit significant symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, they may also experience limb paralysis, psychiatric symptoms, and complications like epilepsy.
Symptoms of encephalitis vomiting
Patients with encephalitis often experience vomiting, and some even have projectile vomiting. This is mainly because patients with encephalitis experience a significant increase in intracranial pressure, which leads to severe vomiting. Additionally, patients may also have noticeable fever, headaches, and can display swelling of the optic disc. In such cases, it is necessary to promptly administer sufficient antiviral medications to the patient, as well as some medications to dehydrate and reduce intracranial pressure. If necessary, corticosteroids can also be used as an adjunct treatment. With aggressive treatment, some patients do recover well. (Please administer medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)
What tests are done for pediatric encephalitis?
Some auxiliary examinations are very necessary for pediatric encephalitis, which help in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of encephalitis. The main tests generally include the following: First, an electroencephalogram (EEG), which is the most commonly used examination. It is safe, non-invasive, and relatively accurate. Children with encephalitis will show light to moderate abnormalities in the EEG. Combined with the patient's history of fever and headache, it has important clinical significance for the diagnosis of encephalitis. The second important examination is cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If the encephalitis is severe, pathological changes in the cerebrospinal fluid can be seen on MRI. The third very important examination is lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture can mainly determine the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid, the color of the cerebrospinal fluid, and analyze the levels of white blood cells, glucose, and chloride in the cerebrospinal fluid. This is crucial for diagnosing encephalitis and excluding other types of encephalitis.
Is encephalitis hereditary?
Encephalitis is mostly caused by viral infections. For instance, Epidemic B encephalitis is caused by the B encephalitis virus, and herpes simplex encephalitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Therefore, encephalitis is not related to genetic mutations and is not hereditary, so there is no need for special concern. It is important to note that some cases of encephalitis are not directly related to viral infections and may be related to autoimmune responses. For example, autoimmune encephalitis can occur in patients experiencing immune system disorder, which may be accompanied by some tumors. A disordered immune system can produce antibodies that attack one's own brain tissue, leading to autoimmune encephalitis. This type of encephalitis also has no genetic tendencies.
Is encephalitis serious?
The severity of encephalitis varies greatly among individuals. Some mild cases of encephalitis, even with some degree of self-healing, do not require special treatment. For example, encephalitis caused by some enteroviruses and respiratory viruses has a very good recovery, and it is only necessary to prevent complications. However, some types of encephalitis are very dangerous and can even threaten the life of the patient. For instance, herpes simplex virus encephalitis can cause necrosis of the cerebral cortex, leading to high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and even epileptic seizures, psychiatric symptoms, and a significant increase in intracranial pressure, requiring urgent treatment.
How to prevent encephalitis
Most cases of encephalitis are transmitted through close contact, such as children playing with toys together. It is possible for them to ingest viruses through their hands, which then enter the bloodstream from the stomach and attack the brain. Some cases of encephalitis are also transmitted through the respiratory tract, mainly through droplets. Therefore, in order to prevent encephalitis, it is crucial to maintain hand hygiene, wash hands frequently, and avoid crowded places to prevent respiratory transmission. In addition, to prevent encephalitis, it is important to improve one's physical condition and exercise regularly, as a strong body is less susceptible to viral infections. Finally, it is essential to ensure adequate nutrition for encephalitis prevention, including sufficient daily intake of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, as well as vitamins C and folate, which are crucial for enhancing the body's resistance.
Does encephalitis cause fever?
If the patient's encephalitis is caused by a viral infection, they usually exhibit fever, often a high fever with temperatures reaching above 39°C, accompanied by significant symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may also experience cognitive dysfunction, epileptic seizures, and psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly, complete examinations such as electroencephalography, lumbar puncture, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging, and timely apply effective antiviral medications. It should be noted that some encephalitis is caused by autoimmune reactions, referred to as autoimmune encephalitis, which is relatively rare clinically. This type of encephalitis generally does not present with fever. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
Pediatric Encephalitis Examination Items
Encephalitis in children is primarily due to a lowered immune resistance, which leads to infection by certain viruses. These viruses invade the nervous system, causing damage to neurons, resulting in symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Generally, the main tests for pediatric encephalitis include hematological tests related to bleeding, primarily involving routine blood tests, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These indices can reflect the inflammatory conditions inside the patient's body, helping to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections. Another very important auxiliary examination is the electroencephalogram (EEG), where pediatric encephalitis can show mild to moderate abnormalities, which is helpful for accurate diagnosis. The third examination involves performing a lumbar puncture to test the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the levels of white cells, glucose, and chloride, which are crucial for diagnosing encephalitis and differentiating it from other types of encephalitis.