Encephalitis: symptoms in children, consequences

In the summer, the issue of preventing encephalitis in children and adults is especially acute. However, few people know that this disease is not always a consequence of infection from a tick bite. The cause of encephalitis can serve almost any viral or bacterial infection. And in children such a disease is more common than in adults, as the babies have not yet developed enough immune system and the body's ability to defend itself.

What is encephalitis? What should I do to avoid getting infected? What are the symptoms and treatment of encephalitis? How it needs to be diagnosed and which specialists are best to address? This article will help you find out the answers to these questions, and then no disease can catch you unawares.

Definition of ailment

Encephalitis is an acute disease, the development of which is associated with a viral or bacterial infection and the consequence of which is the damage to the brain substance.

What is dangerous encephalitis? Symptoms in children and adults are characterized by a severe condition of the patient, which in itself has a negative effect. However, the final of the disease has an even greater negative effect. The consequences of encephalitis are often complete or partial paralysis, neuropsychiatric abnormalities and even death.

Pathogens provoke swelling and hemorrhage, destroy the envelopes and processes of neurons, damage the structure of the subcortical nuclei of the brain, as well as its white and gray matter. In addition, bacterial infection can cause purulent infection of the pia mater.

Different types of encephalitis

Since this disease is caused by different causes and pathogens, the symptoms of encephalitis in children (as well as in adults) can sometimes differ in their severity and duration.

So let's first determine which groups and subspecies the disease is divided into, and only then will we talk about its treatment and prevention.

In accordance with the cause of the occurrence, encephalitis is primary and secondary.

Primary encephalitis is an independent ailment, triggered by the negative impact of the virus on the body. In accordance with different causes of development, primary encephalitis can be:

- viral (herpes, influenza, enterovirus, cytomegalovirus, with rabies, etc.);

- bacterial (neurosyphilis, typhus);

- seasonal (tick-borne, mosquito, etc.).

Secondary encephalitis usually occurs as a complication or continuation of an already existing disease. It is a consequence of:

- infection with parasites (chlamydial, malarial, toxoplasmosis);

- bacterial infection (tuberculosis, streptococcal, staphylococcal);

- Complications (after measles, rubella, chickenpox);

- vaccination (after vaccinations against rubella, mumps, measles).

Post-vaccinal encephalitis is a rare and uncommon phenomenon. But nevertheless, if after a vaccination at the child a fever and a headache, it is necessary to pay special attention to these symptoms.

What is the route of infection to the brain? This happens with the flow of blood, when the causative agents of the disease, having got into the bloodstream, go to the very center of the nervous system.

Also, the air-drop route of encephalitis transmission (with herpes), contact-household and alimentary (enterovirus) is quite likely.

Sometimes the cause of encephalitis is toxic effects of poisons in carbon monoxide or in contact with heavy metals, as well as an allergic reaction to various pathogens.

So, we got acquainted with the causes and mechanism of the disease development. Therefore, there is a very relevant question: what are the specific signs (symptoms) of human encephalitis?

How to identify the disease

The way the disease manifests itself largely depends on the source of its appearance. However, there is a general list of symptoms of encephalitis in humans.

First of all, this is a sharp increase in body temperature, convulsions, delirium and confused consciousness, a strong migraine. Therefore, if the child's temperature and headache (and changes in his condition occurred quickly and dramatically) - it is necessary to sound the alarm.

How does encephalitis of different types occur? Let's find out, since the rapid detection of the disease will positively affect its cure.

Tick-borne encephalitis. Types, Symptoms

Tick-borne encephalitis in children is very dangerous. He can leave behind incurable consequences - neurological disorders that can permanently make a child disabled.

Probably, it's not a secret for anybody that the most likely transporter of encephalitis of this species is a tick. The tick lives mainly in shady bushes and grass, so if you went out of town, walked in the park or worked in the garden, you should carefully inspect the skin to detect this small pest.

It should be noted that the mite does not always remain on the body after a bite. Often males quickly leave the stung place, unlike females, who can sit on the wound for several days, feeding on blood and increasing in volume. Therefore, if you have not found a tick on your body or body, but you have unpleasant, alarming symptoms, you should immediately go to the hospital.

Remember that the incubation period of encephalitis (that is, the time from the moment of bite to the moment of the onset of symptoms) lasts from one to three weeks and is accompanied by weakness, body aches and fever. Later, cramps, loss of consciousness, coma join them.

It is noteworthy that the older a person, the harder he tolerates the disease and the more difficult it will be to recover.

In medicine, several forms of tick-borne encephalitis occur:

1. Feverish (temperature rise to forty-one degrees, weakness, chills, pain in muscles and bones).
2. Meningeal (high blood pressure, severe and frequent vomiting, convulsions, photophobia).
3. Cerebral (disorders of consciousness, seizures, epileptic seizures).
4. Poliomyelitis (chronic disorders of swallowing and breathing, paralysis of the muscles of the upper limbs and neck).

Let us repeat that the symptoms of encephalitis in children can proceed in different ways and resemble the picture of other infectious diseases. Therefore, it is important to quickly identify the cause of the ailment, consult a doctor and begin treatment. If the child has a fever and a headache, it is necessary to apply to a specialist.

Epidemic encephalitis. Definition, symptoms

Epidemic encephalitis is also very common and dangerous. The causative agent of encephalitis of this form has not yet been determined, but it has recently been revealed that it lives in saliva and mucus and quickly dies when it enters the external environment. It is noteworthy that in the first ten years of life, children rarely suffer from this disease.

Since the epidemic encephalitis can be infected by airborne droplets, it is natural that its carriers are virus carriers and directly affected. The incubation period of encephalitis ranges from one week to two months.

Symptoms accompanying the disease are very multifaceted. This is the usual temperature of the disease, and vomiting, and drowsiness. Other signs are also noteworthy - strabismus, unstable gait, tinnitus, increased anxiety, mental disorders and decreased intelligence.

Enteroviral encephalitis. Symptomatics

Enterovirus encephalitis is accompanied by vomiting and headache, paralyzed limbs and epileptic seizures. The latter are most often found in very young children.

Herpetic encephalitis. Definition, symptoms

Herpetic encephalitis is a consequence of the herpes virus, so it is possible to catch them both by airborne and by contact-household.

The incubation period of this disease can be a whole month. The disease can be accompanied by cramps, loss of consciousness, skin rashes, vomiting, aggression, various hallucinations.

If a child is more than ten years old, herpetic encephalitis can develop into a chronic disease, and in young children without proper treatment can result in a fatal outcome. Most often, herpetic encephalitis is provoked by SARS and stomatitis.

Secondary encephalitis. Types, symptoms

Secondary encephalitis is a consequence of severe infectious diseases, such as measles, rubella, chicken pox and others. Therefore, if the underlying disease passes, but there are encephalitic syndromes, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Usually secondary encephalitis is manifested on the 1-10th day of rash and is accompanied by fever, vomiting and convulsions. Sometimes (for example, with measles encephalitis) there may be parkinsonism and even blindness. With chickenpox encephalitis, small children can tremble their heads, shaky gait, tremors and chanted speech.

Post-vaccinal encephalitis

Postvaccinal encephalitis is observed mainly in children of school age and often occurs in acute form, in the form of various neurological disorders and disorders.

So, we figured out what are the symptoms of encephalitis in children. Now let's see how it is possible to diagnose and treat this disease, and also we will analyze preventive measures and ways of preventing the disease.

The process of diagnosis

If you find that you or your child has some of the symptoms of encephalitis listed in this article, you should contact the hospital without delay. It is necessary to visit such specialists:

- pediatrician or therapist;

- neurologist;

- infectious diseases.

Since encephalitis has pronounced severe manifestations, which are very similar to the symptoms of other diseases, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis.

Diagnosis of encephalitis includes, above all, a general analysis of blood and urine, as well as chest radiography and MRI of the brain. In addition, it may be necessary to make a lumbar puncture (i.e., taking a cerebrospinal fluid for analysis).

How can these tests help to identify encephalitis? Diagnosis of this disease is as follows:

1. A blood test will detect special antibodies that will help to recognize the diseases (eg, leukocytes may be increased or accelerated by ESR).
2. MRI or CT scan will allow to see the affected foci of the brain or hemorrhage to the brain.
3. Puncture, or analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, reveals an increased amount of sugar, protein and lymphocytes with a bloody impurity.

Also, in some cases, a virologic analysis of washings from the nasopharynx can be used to help determine the level of specific antibodies. In the case of ineffectiveness of other diagnostic methods, it is possible to conduct a brain biopsy (i.e., sampling of brain tissue). Sometimes an actual method of diagnosis can be an electroencephalogram that can record changes in the electrical activity of the brain.

Treatment of the disease

Since the consequences of encephalitis are very dangerous, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible.

How is the treatment of this ailment? Of course, the purpose of this or that drug depends on the form and type of the disease. However, the patient will necessarily be offered hospitalization. This should not be abandoned - the best, high-quality and fast treatment can only be provided permanently.

The therapy of encephalitis is carried out in a complex way and in several directions:

1. Decreased body temperature. To do this, the children will need the funds, which include "Ibuprofen" or "Paracetamol".
2. Antibacterial therapy. Antibiotics will help here. In tick-borne encephalitis - "Benzylpenicillin" and "Doxycycline", with mixed - "Levomycetin" and "Cefotaxime" and so on.
3. Restoration of the nervous system. To do this, use ascorbic acid and B vitamins, as well as "Piracetam" and "Pantogam".
4. Immunostimulating therapy. The basis of this treatment is the activation of immunity of the patient. Immunoglobulin against encephalitis is assigned to recognize and neutralize the causative agent of the disease. Immunoglobulin preparations are available in many pharmacies of our country. They are extracted from human plasma and is a globular protein. This type of therapy can be carried out both intramuscularly and intravenously.
5. Elimination of symptoms. For example, with severe convulsions, "Seduxen" or "Sibazon" is prescribed, with the development of paralysis - "Proserin".

Naturally, exact and detailed treatment will be prescribed only in the hospital. Therefore, it is vital to carefully follow all the prescriptions of the doctor.

Preventive measures

How to avoid encephalitis infection?

The first thing you can do to protect yourself and your child is to carry out a timely vaccination. Vaccination against encephalitis (tick-borne) occurs during routine or emergency immunization. Thanks to the vaccine, the body will be able to develop antibodies to fight the future disease.

In addition, it is necessary in a regulated manner to vaccinate against diseases that can cause encephalitis. For example, there is a schedule developed by the Ministry of Health for the vaccination of children of preschool and school age from measles, chickenpox and rubella. Therefore, do not give up immunization of the child.

Another important method of prevention is isolating the patient with encephalitis from healthy people, especially children. The room should be in the process of constant airing, and the personal belongings of the infected person should be regularly disinfected.

And of course, an important measure of preventing tick-borne encephalitis is to protect the skin from the bite of a harmful insect. Before going to the forest, it is necessary to put on as much as possible closed, closely fitting to the body clothes, preferably of light, monochromatic color. During and after a visit to the risk zone, you should carefully examine yourself and your child (especially the hair), as well as pets. Having come home, things should be carefully shaken out and ventilated.

If the tick was found, you should always go to a medical institution and, if possible, do not try to pull the insect yourself.

Good health to you!