Symptoms of encephalitis in adults: nausea, fever, headache, paralysis and paresis of the extremities

Its name, such as encephalitis, is derived from the Greek word. It means inflammatory diseases of the brain. Has severe consequences. Symptoms of encephalitis in adults are manifested depending on the degree of inflammation.

Patients with this diagnosis feel, as a rule, very poorly, they need intensive treatment.

The main types of disease and viruses that cause it

There are two types of disease:

1. Primary. Here the causative agent are the so-called neurotrophic viruses.
2. Secondary. It is an inflammation of the brain, which develops as a complication of another - the underlying disease.

Among the most common reasons for the development of the latter are the following:

1. Tick-borne encephalitis.
2. Herpes simplex virus of the second type (HSV-2).
3. Rabies caused by a Las. Fever.
4. Polio.
5. Herpes virus.
6. Subacute sclerosing measles panencephalitis.

Baby viruses that can provoke brain inflammation:

1. Chickenpox (very rarely).
2. Measles.
3. Rubella.

Other common viruses that cause the disease:

1. Parotitis.
2. The Epstein-Barr virus.
3. AIDS.
4. HIV.
5. Cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Some pathogens and symptoms of encephalitis in adults are discussed below.

Tick-borne encephalitis

The tick bite promotes inflammation of the meninges and the brain itself. The causative agent of the disease is transmitted to people through a bite. At half of the persons infected by a virus, disease proceeds absolutely imperceptibly and without consequences. CE is transmitted, as a rule, very quickly. The insect should be removed immediately, using tweezers or other improvised means.

From one person to another, a viral infection is not transmitted. The incubation period ranges from three days to several weeks.

Signs of encephalitis after a bite:

• fever;
• headache;
• Pain in the extremities.

In many cases CE leads to meningitis, with the following symptoms:

• Severe headache and fever;
• Confusion;
• Stiff neck;
• loss of consciousness.

Relatively rare tick-borne encephalitis leads to death, only in cases when a person does not turn in time for help or has weak immunity. In 1-2% of all cases, this virus affects the central nervous system. In general, 10 to 20% of patients suffer from severe clinical and mental manifestations. Among them, weakness and depression.

Other viruses that cause disease

Infection is caused by the causative agent Rickettsia, she is the carrier of lice.

Antifungal viruses affect in most cases individuals with immune deficiency. The most famous pathogens are Candida albakans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus. These antifungal viruses form clots in the brain tissue, abscesses. They contribute to the occurrence of a heart attack and the formation of pus.

Very dangerous is the rabies caused by the fever of Las. Symptoms of encephalitis in adults appear after 3-8 weeks.

Poliomyelitis is also associated with damage to the brain substance, the main causative agent is the polio virus.

Herpetic encephalitis is the result of herpes simplex infection of the 1st and 2nd type. In childhood, HSV-2 is more common.

Encephalitis in AIDS and HIV can also affect brain tissue. The disease can occur subacute or go to meningitis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is most often found in newborns and people with weak immunity.

Subacute sclerosing measles panencephalitis occurs in children and adolescents. This infection leads to death in a few months. Perhaps a person with this virus will live up to two years, but such cases are quite rare.

A group of viruses that are transmitted from arthropods

Arboviruses are carried by insects. The type of infection that is transmitted depends on the species of arthropod.

1. California encephalitis (also called La Crosse) is transmitted through mosquito bites and mainly affects children. It causes several symptoms in adults, it is a headache, nausea and a high temperature.
2. Individuals living in rural areas of Western countries often discover St. Louis encephalitis. It is accompanied by many signs. Among them, vomiting, headache and temperature, meningeal symptoms, pain syndrome in the muscle fibers. This virus can cause limb paresis. What is this, your doctor in more detail will tell. But they are characterized by a decrease in strength in the muscles, their weakness.
3. The West Nile virus is most often found in Africa and the Middle East. However, it can be picked up in the United States. It causes flu-like symptoms. Can lead to death among the elderly and individuals with a weakened immune system.
4. Colorado-encephalitis (also called Colorado tick-borne fever). Most people with this virus quickly recover.
5. Eastern encephalitis appears due to mosquito bites. It affects people and horses. Of all the cases, 33% ended in a fatal outcome.
6. Kiazanur - a forest disease transmitted through the bites of ticks. Hunters, tourists and farmers are at greater risk of acquiring the disease.

Factors of disease occurrence

The most risk groups are:

• People of advanced age;
• Small children of the first year of life;
• People with a weakened immune system.

You may also have a higher risk of encephalitis if you live in a region where ticks and mosquitoes are common.

More chances to get encephalitis from an insect bite in the summer and autumn.

Typical signs of pathology

Although the disease has different origins, but in many cases the symptoms of encephalitis in adults are the same. Easier cases, especially with viral infections, are manifested by the following symptoms:

• Headache of varying intensity;
• photophobia;
• fever;
• fatigue;
• nausea.

Serious infections requiring hospital treatment have the following symptoms:

• Severe headaches, migraines are possible;
• Nausea and fever;
• Frustration and confusion;
• Severe muscular weakness;
• Incomprehensible speech;
• loss of consciousness.

Acute manifestations of the disease

In addition to the main symptoms, in very serious cases there is sensitivity to light, mood swings, disorientation, hallucinations, convulsions, coma, irritability, drowsiness, unconsciousness, paresis of the extremities. What it is? Paralysis is manifested either by delayed movements and weakness in the muscles, or by a complete loss of active movements.

If a newborn or child under the age of one year has the following symptoms, call the doctor immediately:

• Vomiting;
• Swelling of the fontanel;
• Constant crying;
• Poor appetite;
• Stiffness;
• fever.

Diagnosis of the disease

Since the symptoms of encephalitis in adults are quite typical, the doctor, as a rule, already after their description suspects the presence of this disease and determines the patient in the clinic.

Then they can perform the following tests if there are suspicions of encephalitis:

1. Spinal-medial puncture.
2. Scanning the brain with CT or MRI.
3. Electroencephalograph (EEG).
4. Brain biopsies.

In the clinic, the patient gives all the necessary tests, including blood for encephalitis. This is necessary in order to exclude other diseases. A blood test will show the first signs of inflammatory processes and protective reactions in the body. This is indicated by the increased number of leukocytes in the blood.

The study of spinal cord puncture provides more accurate information about the nature of encephalitis.

With the help of magnetic resonance or computer tomography, the attending physician can exclude brain tumors and brain hemorrhages. In addition, you can detect swelling, if present.

Analysis for tick-borne encephalitis, if there is a disease, will show an increase in ESR, moderate leukocytosis, an increase in the antibody titer, and, most importantly, an available bite.

Despite the rapid detection of the disease and treatment, in part everything ends in tragic consequences. With some types of bacterial encephalitis, the mortality rate of patients is 50%. In addition, severe consequences are possible.

The main methods of therapy

Treatment of cerebral inflammation directly depends on which causative agent caused the disease. In bacterial encephalitis, antibiotics are used to prevent the spread of bacteria and their destruction. Against fungal viruses are used the so-called antimycotics (Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Ketaconazole, Amphotericin, Nystatin). For many species there is no bactericidal agent.

In the course of the fight against the causes of the disease called encephalitis, the symptoms (treatment in this case should be the most effective) will go away simultaneously with the virus that caused it. Pain, fever will gradually stop, blood circulation will stabilize.

Treatment is carried out in a hospital, because paralysis, cramps and other symptoms should be reacted quickly, and an ambulance, as a rule, can not always arrive on time. Often, intensive medical care is required and stay for several weeks in a stationary state.

The earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier treatment will begin and, possibly, recovery will follow.

Antiviral drugs can help in the therapy of herpes encephalitis. But they are ineffective in dealing with other causes and viruses of the disease. Instead, very often therapy is needed to alleviate the manifestations of the disease. These procedures may include rest and reception;

• Anticonvulsants;
• Anesthetics;
• Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation of the brain);
• Antipyretic;
• Sedative (for those with mental disorders);
• Injections.

If there is cerebral edema, paresis and convulsive manifestations, the patient must necessarily be hospitalized.

Complications of the disease

Most patients who have been diagnosed with encephalitis are facing serious consequences:

• Bad memory or its loss;
• Mental changes in personality;
• Epileptic seizures;
• chronic fatigue;
• Physical impotence;
• disability;
• Lack of muscle coordination;
• Problems with vision;
• Hearing impairment;
• coma;
• labored breathing;
• death.

Complications often develop in certain groups, such as:

• aged people;
• Patients who had coma symptoms;
• Patients who did not receive timely treatment.

Forecasting

The prognosis depends on the nature and severity of encephalitis. Some patients do not experience any serious disorders, but in severe forms of the disease there may be difficulties in the form of problems with sleep, concentration of attention, coordination of movements, dementia, various paralysis, etc.

Your prognosis will depend on the severity of the inflammation. In mild cases, the inflammatory process is likely to disappear in a few days. However, in severe cases, recovery may take several weeks or months.

Depending on the type and severity of the disease, some patients may require additional treatment, including:

• Physiotherapy (necessary to increase strength, coordination, balance and flexibility);
• Occupational therapy;
• Speech therapy (needed to help learn to control the muscles needed for speech);
• Psychotherapy (help with coping strategies, mood disorders or personality changes).

Prevention of disease

Encephalitis can not always be prevented, but it is possible to reduce the risk of the disease by making an inoculation on time. You need to make sure that your children also receive appropriate vaccinations.

Active immunization of the population through vaccination gives good protection. It is recommended especially to people staying in the territory in high-risk areas (for example, lumberjacks).

Vaccination is recommended to be carried out every 10 years. If you do not have it, ask your therapist when and where you can get it done.

It is important to use a mosquito remedy. In places where mites and mosquitoes can be kept, wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers.