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Encephalitis
See Also:
Encephalitis:
Introduction
Encephalitis: Types
Encephalitis:
Causes & Risk Factors
Encephalitis:
Signs & Symptoms
Encephalitis:
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Encephalitis:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Treatment Options
Treatment is based on the causal agent. While bacterial
encephalitis is treated with antibiotics, viral
encephalitis due to herpes simplex is treated with
antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, ganciclovir,
foscarnet, ribovarin, and AZT.
Corticosteroids
such as prednisone and dexamethasone are used to
reduce inflammation and brain swelling.
Anticonvulsants such as dilantin and phenytoin
control seizures and acetaminophen or any
antipyretic is used to reduce the fever (5).
Arboviral encephalitis has no cure and palliative
care only helps relieve the symptoms. Palliative
care (remedy that alleviates symptoms without
curing) such as intravenous fluids helps reduce
dehydration, antibiotics prevent secondary
infections and othe medications prevent
complications. Diuretics such as furosemide and
mannitol help reduce intracranial pressure and
benzodiazepines such as lorazepam [Ativan®]
prevent seizures (9). |
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Prevention Methods
The following measures can be adopted to prevent
encephalitis:
- Seek early treatment for any high fever or
infections
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to avoid
ticks and mosquitoes when in forests or grassy
areas.
- Use insect repellant on exposed areas of the
body.
- Avoid spending a long time outdoors during dusk
when insects tend to bite.
- A Caesarian section (C-section) should be
performed if the mother has active herpes lesions
to protect the newborn.
- Vaccinate children against viruses that can cause
encephalitis (measles, mumps).
- Japanese encephalitis can be prevented with three
doses of a vaccine.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommends that vaccine must be offered to
the Asia travelers spending a month or more.
However, travelers spending less than 30 days can
receive the vaccine if the area is experiencing
an epidemic outbreak.
- Elderly and pregnant women are at a higher risk
of developing symptoms with infection hence
special care needs to be taken for these two
groups when traveling abroad (1).
See Also:
Encephalitis:
Introduction
Encephalitis: Types
Encephalitis:
Causes & Risk Factors
Encephalitis:
Signs & Symptoms
Encephalitis:
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Encephalitis:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
Bibliography
- Todd
Mundy (2007). Encephalitis eMedicineHealth.
- Encephalitis
– Introduction (2007) Health
Encyclopaedia. NHS Direct.
- Encephalitis
– Overview Neurology Channel.
- Encephalitis
– Causes (2007) Health Encyclopaedia.
NHS Direct.
- Encephalitis
(2006) Health AtoZ.
- Encephalitis
– What Causes Encephalitis? (2004).
eHealthMD.
- Encephalitis
– Risk Factors (2007). MayoClinic.com.
- Encephalitis
– Symptoms (2007) Health Encyclopaedia.
NHS Direct.
- Encephalitis
– Diagnosis Neurology Channel.
- What
is Neurological Exam? Neurology Channel.
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