Encephalitis

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

Acute encephalitis (AEI) is a sudden, severe inflammation in the brain. There are two distinct varieties:. Caused by the herpes simplex virus, a herpetic brain infection causes a rapid inflammatory response. Fungi like Cryptococcus reformans, Histoplasma aspergillus, Candida albicans, etc. are quite common.

It's a sudden, severe inflammation in the brain.  There are two distinct varieties of encephalitis:

  • HSV-1

  • HSV-2

It is caused by the herpes simplex virus, a herpetic brain infection causes a rapid inflammatory response. Acute encephalitis is typically caused by HSV. Specifically, you can choose between two distinct varieties.

Moreover, both children and adults are impacted with this disease.


Arthropod-borne virus: Arbo Virus

Clinical features of the Arbo virus are:

  • Neurological symptoms and seizures
  • Hyponatremia

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis

Clinical symptoms caused by the HSV virus are:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Abnormalities in behavior
  • localized neurological dysfunction


Analyses for Diagnosis

  • The use of neuroimaging
  • Electroencephalography (ECG) (ECG)
  • CSF Analysis
  • Method of polymerase chain reaction

Fungal encephalitis
Fungi like Cryptococcus reformans, Histoplasma aspergillus, Candida albicans, etc. are quite common.

Identifying Characteristics in Clinical Practice

  • Symptoms of illness, include a high temperature
  • Headache
  • Experiencing difficulty moving the neck
  • Lethargy
  • Alteration in mental state

Analyses for Diagnosis

  • Diagnostic Brain Imaging
  • CSF and ECG analysis
  • The MRI and CT scan
  • Lab examination for blood


Treatment through Medicine

  • Administer antiviral agents- Eg Acyclovir(zovirox)
  • In order to prevent a relapse, treatment should be maintained for up to three weeks.
  • Treat seizures using anticonvulsants.
  • Fluconazole


Nursing management

  • Keep an eye on how the condition is developing,
  • Reduce stress by taking care of basic comforts like lighting, noise, and temperature.
  • Dole out pain relievers. Opioid analgesics may obscure the signs and symptoms of neurological disorders.
  • Help the patient's loved ones overcome their fears by talking through them in therapy.
  • Check for neurological issues.
  • Look at how much anguish there is.
  • Help the patient choose an ergonomic sleeping position.
  • Rest thoroughly
  • Antipyretics should be given.
  • Keep a close eye on the vitals.
  • Keep an eye on the patient by using the glass cow coma scale to evaluate neurological status.
  • Take a look at how alert the person is.
  • Antipyretics should be given.
  • Lend emotional support.
Things to remember
  • Since the culture for bacteria is sterile, it is also known as viral meningitis and aseptic meningitis.
  • Give anti-viral medication; phynitone is used to manage seizures.
  • Administer an antipyretic in order to alleviate discomfort and lower fever.
  • Dole out antiviral drugs In the case of bacterial meningitis, antibiotic treatment is required.
  • Put them to sleep by giving them medicine.

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