Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain causing viral infection, attacking brain tissue. There have in majority of cases that caused death in Gorakhpur dark history, nearly 50,000 children in eastern Uttar Pradesh have lost their life cause of deadly virus.
What is encephalitis?
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation (swelling) of the brain usually resulting from either a viral infection or due to the body’s own immune. In medicine term it is “acute” that takes shape of abruptly and develops rapidly. it usually requires urgent care. The brain becomes inflamed to respond to the treatment as result body attempt to fight off the virus causing death. It begins with fever and headache but symptoms rapidly worsen, and there may be seizures (fits), confusion, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness, and even coma. Encephalitis can be life-threatening depending on the severity of the disease and age.
Encephalitis Symptoms
This disease has typically has a fever, headache, and photophobia and can lead to general weakness and seizures.
Less common symptoms
The patient will experience neck stiffness that can lead to a misdiagnosis of meningitis and individual can feel drowsy and have a cough.
More serious cases
In more serious cases, the patient may have severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, confusion, disorientation, memory loss, speech problems, hearing problems, hallucinations, as well as seizures and possibly lead to coma.
Treatments for encephalitis
Treatment for encephalitis depends on the symptoms, there are reliable test that can help in to understand the status of the patient. One of which is acyclovir; success is limited for most infections except when the condition is complex.
Corticosteroids may to reduce the brain’s inflammation, especially in cases of post-infectious encephalitis. If the patient is in serious stage might need mechanical ventilation to help them breathe and other supportive treatment.
Anticonvulsants treatment is given to patients who have seizures. Sedatives are also given and is very effective for seizures, restlessness, and irritability. For patients with mild symptoms, the best treatment is rest, plenty of fluids, and Tylenol (paracetamol) for fever and headaches.
