Viral encephalitis is an infection of the central nervous system that causes inflammation of the brain and mainly affects infants and children, but can also occur in adults with weakened immune systems.
This type of infection can be a complication of infection with relatively common viruses, such as herpes simplex, adenovirus or cytomegalovirus, which grow in excess due to a weakened immune system, and that can affect the brain, causing symptoms such as very severe headaches. , fever and seizures.
- Viral encephalitis is curable.
- But treatment should be started quickly to prevent the development of sequelae due to inflammatory brain damage.
- For example.
- If an existing infection is suspected or aggravated.
- It is always advisable to go to the hospital to assess the situation.
The first symptoms of viral encephalitis are the consequences of a viral infection, such as a cold or gastroenteritis, such as headache, fever and vomiting, which eventually progress and cause brain damage resulting in more severe symptoms such as:
Viral encephalitis symptoms aren’t always infection-specific, confusing with other diseases such as meningitis or colds. The infection is diagnosed by blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests, an electroencephalogram (EEG), an MRI or CT scan or brain biopsy.
Viral encephalitis itself is not contagious, however, as a complication of a viral infection, it is possible that the virus that originates at its source may be transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions, such as coughing or sneezing, of an infected person or by the use of contaminated utensils, such as forks, knives or glasses, for example.
In this case, it is common for the person who contracts the virus to develop the disease and not the complication, which is viral encephalitis.
The main goal of treatment is to help the body fight infections and relieve symptoms. Therefore, rest, food and water supply are essential to cure the disease.
In addition, your doctor may also recommend medications to relieve symptoms such as:
For herpes virus infections or cytomegalovirus infections, your doctor may also prescribe antivirals, such as Aciclovir or Foscarnet, to remove viruses more quickly, as these infections can cause severe brain damage.
In the most severe cases, where there is loss of consciousness or where the person cannot breathe alone, it may be necessary to stay in the hospital to undergo medication treatment directly in the vein and have respiratory assistance, for example.
The most common sequelae of viral encephalitis are
These sequelae usually only appear when the infection lasts a long time and treatment has not had the desired results.