How is encephalitis transmitted?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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The commonly mentioned encephalitis is mainly caused by viral infections. There are many types of viruses that can cause encephalitis, including the more severe herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, etc. There are also some enteroviruses, like Coxsackie virus, and some adenoviruses. Typically, the transmission of encephalitis can occur via the fecal-oral route, where some enteroviruses enter the digestive tract through this route, then from the cells of the digestive tract to the bloodstream, and from there to the brain. Additionally, some viruses are transmitted through blood contact. For instance, if a patient has blisters that rupture and release a large amount of virus, and another person's blood comes into contact with these fluids, transmission can occur via blood. Generally, encephalitis is primarily transmitted through fecal-oral routes and bloodborne transmission.

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Symptoms of baby encephalitis

Generally speaking, the symptoms of encephalitis in babies usually start with fever. Encephalitis is an infectious disease, and the majority of cases present with fever, which could be either high or low. Next is vomiting. Since small infants cannot express headache, they usually manifest symptoms through crying, irritability, and restlessness. Additionally, there might be lethargy and malaise. Some may experience seizures, and others might have stiff neck, characterized by rigidity of the neck and changes in muscle tone of the limbs, among other symptoms. These are all symptoms of encephalitis.

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Can encephalitis recur?

Encephalitis comes in various types, some of which are prone to recurrence, while others are monophasic and do not recur. The most common type is viral encephalitis, particularly infections caused by the herpes simplex virus. Although recovery from viral encephalitis after antiviral treatment is possible, it may leave some sequelae, but generally does not recur. Tuberculous meningoencephalitis, however, has a higher rate of recurrence, often related to the resistance of tuberculosis bacteria and inadequate anti-tuberculosis treatment. Patients need repeated lumbar puncture tests to confirm that the cerebrospinal fluid has returned to normal levels and require long-term use of anti-tuberculosis medications. Bacterial meningitis generally does not recur. Additionally, there are some autoimmune types of encephalitis, such as autoimmune encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, and neuromyelitis optica, where recurrence is possible when involving the brain.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
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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
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Encephalitis belongs to which department?

Encephalitis is primarily a neurological disorder and is an infectious disease of the central nervous system, mainly diagnosed and treated in neurology. There are many causes of encephalitis, with viral encephalitis being the most common. For example, herpes simplex encephalitis is a typical type seen clinically. Patients may experience fever, even with very high temperatures exceeding 40°C, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. If the condition worsens, seizures, coma, and cognitive impairment may occur. These clinical manifestations require further investigations like electroencephalography, cranial MRI, and lumbar puncture. Additionally, there is a specific type of epidemic, known as Japanese encephalitis, which falls under the category of infectious diseases due to its contagious nature.

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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.)