What is encephalitis? What are the symptoms of encephalitis? How to prevent it?

Encephalitis can be caused by infections such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, spirochetes, rickettsia, and parasites. Viral encephalitis can be divided into epidemic encephalitis and sporadic encephalitis. So what are the symptoms of encephalitis? How to prevent it?

Symptoms of encephalitis

Encephalitis can occur in different genders and ages, and is usually acute or subacute in onset, often accompanied by general symptoms such as fever and headache. The severity of neurological manifestations varies greatly. Mild cases may only have symptoms of serous meningitis such as headache, dizziness, and neck stiffness. When the lesions relapse severely, symptoms of encephalitis may include impaired consciousness, cranial nerve paralysis, limb paralysis, urinary and bowel disorders, convulsions, etc. As the disease progresses, the patient may fall into a deep coma and be in a decerebrate or decorticate state. Sometimes the lesions may be limited to the brainstem, spinal cord and other parts, causing corresponding symptoms, which are called brainstem inflammation or myelitis respectively.

The manifestations of encephalitis vary depending on the type of virus. Epidemic encephalitis B has an acute onset, progresses rapidly, and has high disability and mortality rates. The condition caused by herpes simplex virus is also very serious, with not only inflammation and edema in the brain, but also hemorrhage and necrosis.

Prevention of encephalitis

1) Discover patients early and isolate them in time until their body temperature returns to normal.

2) Pay attention to changes in the condition and observe signs such as body temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pupil size, and respiratory rhythm disorders.

3) Eliminate mosquito breeding areas, implement mosquito prevention and control measures, and cut off the transmission routes.

4) Improve the immunity of the population and regularly vaccinate susceptible people, especially children under 10 years old, with Japanese encephalitis vaccine, usually 1-2 months before the epidemic season. If there is paralysis, massage may be given to promote recovery of limb function.