Encephalitis

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. Viral infections are the most common cause of the condition. Encephalitis can cause flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or a severe headache. It can also cause confused thinking, seizures, or problems with senses or movement. Fatigue or weakness, confusion, agitation or hallucinations, seizures, loss of sensation or paralysis in certain areas of the face or body, etc are its symptoms. The exact cause of encephalitis is often unknown, but the most commonly diagnosed cause is a viral infection. It is diagnosed by CSF test. And treated by Anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen ,to relieve headaches and fever. Breathing assistance, as well as careful monitoring of breathing and heart function. Intravenous fluids to ensure proper hydration and appropriate levels of essential minerals.

Definition

To put it simply, encephalitis is brain inflammation. The majority of cases of this disease are caused by infections with viruses.

Fever and a severe headache are two of the symptoms that may accompany encephalitis. It may also bring on mental haziness, convulsions, or issues with your senses or your ability to move. However, in many cases, people experience no symptoms at all or merely mild flu-like ones from encephalitis.

However uncommon, encephalitis can be fatal if it reaches a critical stage.

 

Symptoms

The majority of persons who have viral encephalitis have either no symptoms or rather mild flu-like ones, such as:

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Muscle or joint pains
  • Weakness, or fatigue
  • Disorders of thought, restlessness, or hallucinations
  • Seizures
  • Sensitivity loss or paralysis in specific facial or bodily regions
  • Fragile muscles
  • Double vision
  • Detection of unpleasant odors like burnt meat or rotten eggs
  • Difficulties in Communicating or Hearing
  • An impairment of awareness

 

Causes

In many cases of encephalitis, the precise origin is unknown, but a viral infection is usually to blame. However, encephalitis can also be brought on by bacterial infections and other sources of inflammation that don't spread disease.

Infections caused by viruses

  • Simplex virus of the herpes family.
  • Enteroviruses.
  • Vector-borne diseases spread by mosquitoes.
  • Germs spread by ticks.
  • rabies virus
  • Viruses that typically strike children. Common childhood diseases like measles, mumps, and German measles (rubella).

 

Diagnosis

Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid:

  • Numbers of lymphocytes and white blood cells both rose.
  • protein levels rose
  • Normal blood glucose.

medicines and treatments:

Mild instances, which are often misdiagnosed as the flu, are treated mostly by:

  • Bed rest
  • Hydrate thoroughly.
  • Treatment of fever and headache using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Antiviral medications

Antiviral treatments are typically administered intravenously in cases of encephalitis caused by particular viruses. Common antiviral medications used to treat encephalitis include:

  • Acyclovir
  • Ganciclovir
  • Foscarnet
  • Supportive care

 

Patients hospitalized with severe encephalitis require further supportive care. Aspects of care may include:

  • Mechanical ventilation and close attention paid to the patient's breathing and heart rate.
  • Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration and mineral balance.
  • Treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, such as corticosteroids, to alleviate intracranial pressure and swelling.
  • Medication used to treat or prevent convulsions, such as phenytoin (Dilantin).

 

Nursing management

  • Initiate diagnostic procedures such a spine x-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
  • Keep a close eye on the patient's ICP, heart rate, and breathing rate.
  • Bed rest, quiet environment
  • In order to lower intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the room must be made completely dark, and the head of the bed must be raised at least 30 degrees.
  • Strict bed rest must be enforced.
  • When trying to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP), keeping your head up at night is a must.
  • Accurately approximate the patient's orientation.
  • Be there for them emotionally.

References

https://prezi.com/ejiccawym1xn/central-nervous-system-disease/

https://scribd.zxcv.website/presentation/252385742/ensefalitis

https://www.scribd.com/presentation/252385742/ensefalitis
microbesallyoucan.weebly.com/infectious-diseases-affecting-the-nervous-system.html
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/encephalitis/basics/causes/con-20021917
Things to remember
  • To put it simply, encephalitis is brain inflammation.
  • A majority of persons with viral encephalitis show no symptoms at all or have mild flu-like symptoms.
  • Sensation of noxious odors like burned meat or stale eggs.
  • Viruses that typically strike children. Common childhood diseases like measles, mumps, and German measles (rubella)
  • Treatment of fever and headache using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Mechanical ventilation and close attention paid to the patient's breathing and heart rate
  • Keep a close eye on the patient's ICP, heart rate, and breathing rate.
  • When trying to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP), keeping your head up at night is a must.
Questions and Answers

The brain is inflammatory in encephalitis. The most frequent cause of the disease is viral infections. Flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or a terrible headache, can be brought on by encephalitis. Additionally, it may result in seizures, fuzziness of thought, or issues with mobility or senses. But in many cases of encephalitis, there are either no symptoms at all or only minor flu-like symptoms. Even though they are relatively infrequent, severe encephalitis episodes can be fatal.

 

Most victims of viral encephalitis either show no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, such as:

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Muscle or joint aches
  • weakness or weariness
  • Hallucinations, agitation, or confusion
  • Seizures
  • Loss of feeling or paralysis in specific facial or body regions
  • Muscle tremor
  • Dual perception
  • Smelling unpleasant scents like rotting eggs or burnt pork
  • Issues with hearing or speaking
  • Consciousness loss

Causes:

Although the precise cause of encephalitis is frequently unknown, a viral infection is the most frequently identified cause. Encephalitis can also be brought on by bacterial infections and non-infectious inflammatory diseases.

Common viral causes:

  • Herpes simplex virus.
  • Enteroviruses.
  • Mosquito-borne viruses.
  • Tick-borne viruses.
  • Rabies virus.
  • Childhood infections: Common childhood illnesses like German measles, the mumps, and rubeola

Nursing management:

  • Get the patient ready for diagnostic testing like a CT or MRI of the spine.
  • Keep a close eye on the ICP, cardiovascular state, and vital signs.
  • Make sure you have a calm place to sleep.
  • Elevate the head of the bed by at least 30 degrees if the patient has a subarachnoid hemorrhage to lower ICP.
  • strict bed rest regulations.
  • To lower ICP, keep the head of the bed elevated.
  • Approximately orient the patient.
  • Offer emotional assistance

Treatments and drugs:

The mainstays of treatment for mild cases, which could be mistaken for the flu, include:

  • Bed rest
  • Drink lots of water
  • Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, to treat fever and headaches
  • Antiviral drugs

Cases of encephalitis due to certain viruses usually require intravenous antiviral treatments. Antiviral drugs commonly used to treat encephalitis include:

  • Acyclovir
  • Ganciclovir
  • Foscarnet
  • Supportive care

Additional supportive care also is needed in the hospital for people with severe encephalitis. The care may include:

  • Aid with breathing and careful monitoring of breathing and heartbeat
  • Intravenous fluids to ensure adequate levels of vital minerals and proper hydration
  • Corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory medications can help to lessen swelling and pressure inside the skull.
  • Seizures by using anticonvulsant drugs like phenytoin (Dilantin), an anticonvulsant.

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