How to check for encephalitis?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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To check for encephalitis, the main aspects of examination include the following. First, a complete blood count is necessary, which helps to determine if there is an increase in white blood cells and to assess the proportion of various types of white blood cells; this is a basic test. The second examination is an electroencephalogram (EEG), if the EEG shows abnormalities, it may suggest a diagnosis of encephalitis. The third examination involves cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If the encephalitis is severe, the MRI can reveal lesions, which also suggests a diagnosis of encephalitis. The fourth examination is invasive, involving a lumbar puncture. This test allows for the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, assessing whether there is an increase in white blood cells and proteins in the fluid, which plays an important role in the diagnosis of encephalitis. In summary, diagnosing encephalitis necessitates a complete blood count, cranial MRI, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, and a comprehensive EEG examination.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How is encephalitis in children treated?

Encephalitis in children is generally treated based on the cause of the infection. It could be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or other pathogens. The most basic treatment is definitely to address the cause of the encephalitis. If there are other symptoms such as fever or seizures, symptomatic treatment should be administered based on these symptoms. The treatment plan should be tailored to the specific condition of the child.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How is encephalitis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of encephalitis cannot rely solely on auxiliary examinations; it must depend on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and corresponding physical examination. If a patient presents with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and signs of nuchal rigidity upon examination, the possibility of encephalitis should be considered. Additionally, severe cases of encephalitis may exhibit seizures, cognitive changes, and personality alterations. Auxiliary examinations mainly include three types: the first type is imaging studies, primarily brain MRI, which can clearly identify the specific areas of the brain affected and determine which brain lobe is damaged. The second important examination is an electroencephalogram (EEG), which can detect diffuse slow waves, especially a significant presence of delta waves, highly indicative of encephalitis. The third important auxiliary examination is lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid analysis; an increase in white blood cells and protein in the cerebrospinal fluid also suggests inflammation within the skull. Therefore, the main auxiliary examinations for encephalitis include MRI, EEG, and lumbar puncture.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to relieve headache from encephalitis

Encephalitis is mainly divided into viral encephalitis, bacterial encephalitis, and tubercular meningitis, among others. Encephalitis usually causes patients to experience fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The cause of headaches includes the pain response due to inflammation stimulating the meninges. Moreover, these infections can cause an increase in intracranial pressure, leading to significant symptoms in patients such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. To alleviate headaches, it is important to actively treat the primary disease. This includes administering antiviral drugs for viral infections, and antibiotics for bacterial infections. If the headache is caused by increased intracranial pressure, it is crucial to actively administer dehydrating agents and drugs that lower intracranial pressure to reduce it, thereby relieving the headache. Additionally, the use of glucocorticoids can be combined to manage the treatment, suppress the inflammatory response, and alleviate pain. If the pain is significant, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be administered to relieve the pain. The treatment of pain in encephalitis is a comprehensive issue that requires addressing the pathogen, dehydration, reduction of intracranial pressure, and symptomatic treatment.