How to treat encephalitis
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens that can be life-threatening in severe cases. Treatment methods for encephalitis have continued to improve in recent years, but timely diagnosis and correct treatment are still key. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the treatment of encephalitis based on the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Common causes of encephalitis
The causes of encephalitis are diverse, including viral infections, bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, etc. The following is a classification of common causes of encephalitis:
| Cause type | common pathogens | Incidence |
|---|---|---|
| viral infection | Herpes simplex virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus | about 70% |
| bacterial infection | Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pneumococci, meningococci | about 20% |
| autoimmune | Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, anti-LGI1 antibody encephalitis | about 10% |
2. Main symptoms of encephalitis
Symptoms of encephalitis vary depending on the cause and severity, but here are some common symptoms:
| Symptom type | Specific performance | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Persistent high or low fever | Moderate |
| headache | Severe headache, possibly nausea and vomiting | Moderate to severe |
| disorder of consciousness | Drowsiness, coma, or confusion | Severe |
| epileptic seizure | Generalized or localized convulsions | Severe |
3. Treatment of encephalitis
The treatment of encephalitis requires a personalized plan based on the cause and condition. The following are common treatments:
1. Antiviral treatment
For viral encephalitis, especially herpes simplex virus encephalitis, early use of antiviral drugs (such as acyclovir) can significantly improve the prognosis. Treatment usually lasts 14-21 days.
2. Antibiotic treatment
Bacterial encephalitis requires the selection of sensitive antibiotics based on the pathogen, such as ceftriaxone, vancomycin, etc. Tuberculous encephalitis requires long-term antituberculous treatment.
3. Immunomodulatory treatment
Autoimmune encephalitis requires the use of immunosuppressants or immunomodulators, such as glucocorticoids, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), or rituximab.
4. Symptomatic and supportive treatment
| Symptomatic treatment | Specific measures | Applicable situations |
|---|---|---|
| Lower intracranial pressure | Mannitol, hypertonic saline | increased intracranial pressure |
| anti-epileptic | Sodium valproate, levetiracetam | epileptic seizure |
| nutritional support | Enteral or parenteral nutrition | difficulty swallowing |
4. Prognosis and recovery of encephalitis
The prognosis of encephalitis is closely related to the cause, treatment timing and the patient's basic condition. Here are prognostic data for common types of encephalitis:
| Types of encephalitis | Mortality | sequelae rate |
|---|---|---|
| herpes simplex virus encephalitis | 10-20% | 30-50% |
| tuberculous encephalitis | 15-30% | 40-60% |
| autoimmune encephalitis | 5-10% | 20-40% |
Rehabilitation treatment is an important part of the recovery of encephalitis patients, including physical therapy, speech therapy and cognitive training. Early interventional rehabilitation can significantly improve patients' quality of life.
5. Measures to prevent encephalitis
The key to preventing encephalitis is to control the source of infection and enhance immunity:
1. Vaccination: such as Japanese encephalitis vaccine, meningitis vaccine, etc.
2. Anti-mosquito and anti-mosquito: Avoid mosquito bites and prevent insect-borne encephalitis.
3. Maintain good hygiene: wash your hands frequently to avoid contact with pathogens.
Encephalitis is a serious neurological disease, but with timely diagnosis and standardized treatment, most patients can achieve a good prognosis. If you or a family member develops symptoms suspected of encephalitis, seek medical attention immediately.
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