Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Neurological Disorders > Infections > Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic protozoal infestations, like by toxoplasma, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death.
Features
Patients with encephalitis suffer from fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness and photophobia. The patients could also suffer from weakness, seizure, and less commonly, stiffness of the neck. Rarely, the patients may have limb stiffness, slowness in movement and clumsiness, depending on the specific part of the brain involved. The symptoms of encephalitis are caused by the brain's defense mechanisms activating to get rid of the infection, including swelling, small bleedings and cell death.
Aetiology
Victims are usually exposed to viruses resulting in encephalitis by insect bites or food and drink. The most frequently encountered agents are arboviruses (carried by mosquitoes or ticks, see also tick-borne meningoencephalitis) and enteroviruses (coxsackievirus, poliovirus and echovirus). Some of the less frequent agents are measles, rabies, mumps, varicella and herpes simplex viruses. Incidentally type 3 Lyssavirus (Mokola virus), found in Australia, causes a lethal encephalitis which hardly resembles rabies. Numerically, the most important cause of encephalitis worldwide is probably Japanese encephalitis, as it causes up to 50 000 cases a year, with about 15 000 deaths. Japanese encephalitis affects East and Southeast China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, South Asia and even Northern Australia. The most widespread cause of encephalitis worldwide, however, is Herpes Simplex encephalitis. The herpes simplex virus causes inflammation on the temporal lobe of the brain, and if not treated, half to three quarters of the patients succumb. In very young children, however, the virus could affect any part of the brain, even sparing the temporal lobe. More on [ Encephalitis ]
Vector Borne
Causes :: Mental Retardation
More encephalitis, West Nile mosquitoes found. http://r2u.at/mgtECE
yoloneci64638 (Stonington, CT) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:52:21 -0000
More encephalitis, West Nile mosquitoes found. http://r2u.at/mgtECE
State finds mosquitoes with eastern equine encephalitis in Newtown, Monroe. http://r2u.at/Od5Tws
yoloneci64503 (Monroe, CT) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:38:57 -0000
State finds mosquitoes with eastern equine encephalitis in Newtown, Monroe. http://r2u.at/Od5Tws
Encephalitis cases double this year as govt b (http://is.gd/5tghb)
epispider (epispider) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:00:10 -0000
Encephalitis cases double this year as govt b (http://is.gd/5tghb)
More encephalitis, West Nile mosquitoes found. http://r2u.at/4WI8E0
yoloneci64638 (Stonington, CT) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:40:33 -0000
More encephalitis, West Nile mosquitoes found. http://r2u.at/4WI8E0
State finds mosquitoes with eastern equine encephalitis in Newtown, Monroe. http://r2u.at/74Yq10
yoloneci64503 (Monroe, CT) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:26:33 -0000
State finds mosquitoes with eastern equine encephalitis in Newtown, Monroe. http://r2u.at/74Yq10
@swtbls7 I remember the encephalitis, sorry to hear about everything else, she was nice
flawedpottery (Candace J) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:08:55 -0000
@swtbls7 I remember the encephalitis, sorry to hear about everything else, she was nice
Arboviral Encephalitides - Detailed information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Arbovirus Facts - Discusses the various viruses an the diseases they cause.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis - A report of five cases of this disease in Florida, Eastern United States, in 1991.
Meta Description: [ Resource Not Available ]
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Facts - Includes cause, symptoms, diagnosis, risk facotrs, prognosis, treatment, and prevention.
eMedicine Health - Encephalitis - Consumer health resource center providing information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of an acute infection and inflammation of the brain.
Meta Description: [ Encephalitis is an acute infection and inflammation of the brain itself. This is in contrast to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the layers covering the brain.
Encephalitis is generally ... ]
Encephalitis and Meningitis - Information page compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Meta Description: [ Encephalitis and meningitis information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). ]
Encephalitis Global - Support for survivors, family and caregivers. Information about this disease, discussions, a chat room and international friendship between people who have been touched, and are striving to understand.
Meta Description: [ For Encephalitis survivors, caregivers, family and friends... a place to discuss, exchange ideas, and learn. West Nile Virus, ADEM, Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, mosquito, viral, bacterial, St. Louis, LaCrosse ]
Encephalitis Resource Centre - A comprehensive site for information about all aspects of encephalitis. The site is managed by the Encephalitis Society based in the UK.
Meta Description: [ The Encephalitis Society ]
Encephalitis Support Group - A Yahoo! Group supporting families affected with this disorder.
Meta Description: [ Nceph2Group: Encephalitis Support Group ]
Japanese Encephalitis Facts - Fact sheet with causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
LaCrosse Encephalitis Facts - Cause, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
MedlinePlus: Encephalitis - Directory of factsheets, articles, and news stories.
Meta Description: [ Encephalitis ]
St. Louis Encephalitis Facts - Includes cause, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Western Equine Encephalitis - Features cause, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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