Viral encephalitis medical therapy: Difference between revisions
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'''Encephalitis''' is an [[Acute (medical)|acute]] [[inflammation]] of the [[brain]], commonly caused by a [[virus|viral]] [[infection]]. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a [[bacteria]]l infection, such as bacterial [[meningitis]], or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like [[rabies]] (viral) or [[syphilis]] (bacterial). Certain [[parasitic]] or [[protozoa]]l infestations, such as [[toxoplasmosis]], [[malaria]], or [[primary amoebic meningoencephalitis]], can also cause encephalitis in people with [[immune deficiency|compromised]] [[immune system]]s. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death. | '''Encephalitis''' is an [[Acute (medical)|acute]] [[inflammation]] of the [[brain]], commonly caused by a [[virus|viral]] [[infection]]. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a [[bacteria]]l infection, such as bacterial [[meningitis]], or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like [[rabies]] (viral) or [[syphilis]] (bacterial). Certain [[parasitic]] or [[protozoa]]l infestations, such as [[toxoplasmosis]], [[malaria]], or [[primary amoebic meningoencephalitis]], can also cause encephalitis in people with [[immune deficiency|compromised]] [[immune system]]s. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death. | ||
==Medical therapy== | |||
Treatment is usually [[symptomatic]]. Reliably tested specific antiviral agents are available only for a few viral agents (e.g. [[acyclovir]] for [[herpes simplex virus]]) and are used with limited success for most infection except herpes simplex encephalitis. In patients who are very sick, supportive treatment, such as mechanical ventilation, is equally important. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 22:52, 9 February 2012
For patient information, click here Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
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 or protozoal infestations, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, 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.
Medical therapy
Treatment is usually symptomatic. Reliably tested specific antiviral agents are available only for a few viral agents (e.g. acyclovir for herpes simplex virus) and are used with limited success for most infection except herpes simplex encephalitis. In patients who are very sick, supportive treatment, such as mechanical ventilation, is equally important.