Encephalitis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Encephalitis, or medically known as encephalitis, is an infection of the brain that is generally caused by a virus. This disease can affect anyone, both children and adults. About 15% of encephalitis is related to HIV infection.
The development of encephalitis is quite unpredictable. Healing of this disease generally takes a long time, weeks to months.
Encephalitis Symptoms
Typical symptoms of inflammation of the brain are fever, headache, glare when looking at the light, accompanied by a decrease in consciousness and seizures. In addition, people with inflammation of the brain can also experience symptoms of vomiting, memory impairment, difficulty speaking, hearing loss, and hallucinations.
If inflammation of the brain occurs in infants or children, the symptoms are more difficult to recognize because the child has not been able to convey his complaints properly. Inflammation of the brain in children is generally characterized by spraying vomiting, protruding fontanel, fussy children, unable to be calmed down, and a stiff body.
Encephalitis Reason
Inflammation of the brain can be caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, or due to autoimmune diseases. The most common cause is a viral infection.
Viral infections that often cause inflammation of the brain are:
• Herpes Simplex Virus
• Ebstein Barr Virus
• Measles and mumps viruses which usually affect children
• Arboviruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes, such as Japanese Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus
Diagnosis
Doctors can suspect inflammation of the brain if a person has a fever, headache, decreased consciousness, and convulsions. For initial examination, the doctor will conduct a thorough neurological examination to distinguish this disease from an inflammatory disease of the lining of the brain.
Furthermore, a CT scan or MRI of the brain is generally also needed to see any changes in brain structure due to inflammation experienced. In some cases, a lumbar puncture or a procedure to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the lumbar area of the spine is also needed.
Encephalitis Treatment
The main goal of treating inflammation of the brain is to relieve the symptoms that arise. Meanwhile, treatment to get rid of the virus cannot be done in all cases. Generally, treatment with corticosteroids is needed to reduce brain inflammation.
If there is a severe loss of consciousness or breathing problems, the patient will need a breathing apparatus (mechanical ventilation to support breathing). If seizures occur, anti-seizure medication is needed to stop the seizures. In addition, rest, getting enough fluids, and febrifuge are also important treatments.
Prevention
Prevention of encephalitis can be done for encephalitis caused by the Japanese Encephalitis Virus, measles virus, and mumps virus. Efforts that can be made are by carrying out the three types of immunization against the virus when infants and children.
Japanese Encephalitis immunization was carried out at the age of 12 and 24 months. Meanwhile, MMR immunization (mumps, measles, rubella) is carried out at the age of 15 months and 5 years. Meanwhile, measles immunization is carried out at the age of 9 months, followed by at the age of 18 months (if not yet MMR immunization), and at the age of 5-6 years.