Inflammation of the meninges treatment. Reading strengthens neural connections. Symptoms of different stages of inflammation of the brain

Encephalitis is a group inflammatory diseases brain substances that are infectious, allergic or toxic in nature. If a patient is diagnosed with a disease, he should be hospitalized immediately. With encephalitis, a person is placed in an infectious or specialized neurological department and prescribed the strictest bed rest and constant surveillance.

What is encephalitis

Encephalitis (Latin encephalitis - inflammation of the brain) is the name of a whole group of inflammatory processes that affect the human brain, appearing against the background of exposure to infectious pathogens and allergic agents, toxic substances.

Changes in nervous tissue with encephalitis, they are quite stereotyped, and only in some cases can signs of a specific disease be detected (rabies, for example). The significance for the body and the consequences of any inflammatory changes in the brain are always serious, so you should not once again remind them of their danger.

In the acute stage in the substance of the brain, it causes inflammatory process, affecting the hypothalamus, basal nuclei, nuclei of the oculomotor nerves. In the chronic stage, a toxic-degenerative process develops, most pronounced in the substantia nigra and the pale ball.

The incubation period for encephalitis ranges from one to two weeks.

In the case of encephalitis of any etiology, complex therapy is necessary. As a rule, it includes etiotropic treatment (antiviral, antibacterial, antiallergic), dehydration, infusion therapy, anti-inflammatory treatment, vascular and neuroprotective therapy, symptomatic treatment.

Classification

The classification of encephalitis reflects the etiological factors associated with them. clinical manifestations and features of the flow.

Depending on the presence of inflammation of the meningeal membranes (meninges of the brain), the following forms of encephalitis are distinguished:

isolated - in the clinic there are only symptoms of encephalitis;
meningoencephalitis - in the clinic there are also symptoms of inflammation of the meninges.

By localization:

cortical;
subcortical;
stem;
cerebellar injury.

According to the pace of development and flow:

fast;
acute;
subacute;
chronic;
recurrent.

By severity:

moderate;
heavy;
extremely heavy.

The reasons

Most often, the cause of encephalitis is viruses - neuroinfections, sometimes it also occurs as complications of various infectious diseases.

A common cause of progression is a neuroinfection. It is worth noting that the etiology of the disease directly depends on its type. So, the reasons for the progression of viral encephalitis are: the bite of infected insects (usually carriers are mosquitoes or ticks), the penetration of the flu virus, herpes, and rabies into the body.

How the virus enters the human body:

insect bite (hematogenous route);
with direct contact;
alimentary way;
airborne route.

Anyone can develop the disease, but the elderly and children are most at risk. The disease is also prone to those whose immune systems are suppressed or weakened by some kind of treatment, such as cancer treatment, HIV infection, or long-term use steroids.

Symptoms of encephalitis

The disease usually begins with fever and headache, then the symptoms increase and worsen sharply - there are convulsions (fits), confusion and loss of consciousness, drowsiness and even coma. Encephalitis can be a serious threat to life.

Symptoms of encephalitis depend on many factors: the causative agent of the disease, its pathology, course and localization.

The disease in many situations is manifested by aches, as well as pain. At the same time, these unpleasant symptoms affect the whole body: joints, muscles.

However, there are common symptoms for all types of encephalitis:

headache - it is most often expressed in all areas of the head (diffuse), it can be pressing, arching;
nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief;
torticollis, tremor, convulsive seizures;
the main symptom of encephalitis is a sharp jump in temperature to high values (39-40 ° C);
oculomotor disorders: ptosis (omission upper eyelid), diplopia (double vision), ophthalmoplegia (lack of eyeball movements);
Rarely possible defeat facial nerve with the development of paresis of mimic muscles, trigeminal nerve with pain in the face, single convulsions are possible.

Depending on the type of pathogen, the time interval between infection and the manifestation of the first symptoms lasts from 7 to 20 days. AT latent period the infection does not give itself away in any way, it is possible to detect the presence of the pathogen only in laboratory conditions.

Other possible signs of encephalitis:

increased muscle tone;
involuntary movements (hyperkinesis);
strabismus, violation of the movements of the eyeballs (ophthalmoparesis);
diplopia (double vision);
ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid;

Another characteristic feature is muscle twitching in humans. These twitches are made involuntarily. It is important to note that sometimes a person is concerned about numbness of the skin, which manifests itself in different parts body.

Types of encephalitis

Despite all the variety of causes and types, its manifestations are rather stereotypical in the severe course of the disease, but if inflammation of the nervous tissue accompanies other ailments, then it is not so easy to recognize encephalitis as such.

Epidemic encephalitis Economo(lethargic encephalitis A)

The causative agent is a filterable virus, which has not been isolated to date. This type of virus is transmitted by airborne droplets.

Signs of developing epidemic encephalitis:

temperature rise to 38-39 degrees;
chills;
increased drowsiness;
fatigue;
lack of appetite;
headache.

AT this case needed urgent hospitalization. The exact duration is not known. incubation period therefore, all those who have been in contact with a sick person should be monitored for three months.

Tick-borne encephalitis

herpetic

Herpetic encephalitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus. The cortex and white matter of the brain are affected. There is a necrotic process (focal or widespread).

Polyseasonal

Polyseasonal encephalitis, as a rule, is also caused by ECHO. The disease can develop at any time of the year, manifested by headache, moderate fever, paresis may develop for a short time (partially disturbed motor function individual muscles).

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmic encephalitis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with AIDS. The gates of infection are more often the digestive organs, although there are cases of intralaboratory infections with highly virulent strains of Toxoplasma when the skin is damaged (with a pipette or syringe with Toxoplasma culture). Common symptoms include chills, fever, headache, seizures, depression and neurological disorders.

Japanese (encephalitis B)

This type of encephalitis is especially common in Asian countries. The reservoir and source of infection are wild and domestic animals, birds, rodents. Animals carry the infection in a latent form with rapid elimination of the pathogen from the blood. A sick person in the presence of carriers can also be a source of infection.

In general, Japanese encephalitis is diagnosed very rarely, there have never been epidemics. The onset of the disease is characterized fever body, headaches and chills.

Complications and consequences for a person

The consequences of the transferred encephalitis are very severe - the inflammatory process concerns the central nervous system, which can lead to disability of the patient.

The main complications of encephalitis:

cerebral edema;
cerebral coma;
development of epilepsy;
lifelong carrier of the virus;
impaired vision, speech, hearing;
memory impairment;
flaccid paralysis;
cystosis;
mental disorders;
risk of death.

Encephalitis is fraught with danger in relation to full life patient, it can cause not only disability, but also death of the patient.

Diagnostics

For the diagnosis of encephalitis is carried out spinal tap. To clarify the diagnosis and differential diagnosis, the fundus is examined, electroencephalography, echoencephalography, tomography, etc. are performed. When making a diagnosis, the patient must be hospitalized in the infectious or neurological department.

Also needed:

general and biochemical analyzes blood tests, urine tests,
blood culture for sterility,
dorsal puncture cerebral fluid,
conducting REG or EEG, examination of the fundus,
CT or MRI,
if necessary, a biopsy is performed.

Treatment of encephalitis

Diagnosis and treatment of the disease in children and adults is carried out by an infectious disease doctor. If the diagnosis has been confirmed, then the patient is immediately placed in a hospital, in the infectious diseases department. Strict bed rest is shown. The patient's condition is constantly monitored.

In the treatment of encephalitis, specialists may be faced with the need to restore proper metabolism within the brain. To do this, prescribe the use of special vitamins, piracetam or polypeptides. Among anti-inflammatory drugs, salicylates and ibuprofen are often prescribed.

Symptomatic therapy:

Antipyretic drugs
Anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoids)
Anticonvulsant therapy (benzonal, difenin, finlepsin)
Detoxification therapy ( saline solutions, protein preparations, plasma substitutes)
Resuscitation measures (ventilator, cardiotropic drugs)
Prevention of secondary bacterial complications (broad-spectrum antibiotics)

Recovery normal functioning nervous system and rehabilitation of consciousness are prescribed all kinds of biostimulants, antidepressants or tranquilizers.

If the disease leads to impaired respiratory function, then carry out artificial ventilation lungs. In addition, anticonvulsants and analgesics are prescribed.

Vaccines are the most effective method reducing the risk of developing the disease. Wherein we are talking not only about vaccinations tick-borne encephalitis, but also about the prevention of pathologies such as measles, etc.

Therefore, do not neglect vaccination (vaccination) against certain types encephalitis when traveling to areas with disadvantaged this disease environment.

All encephalitis are treated in infectious diseases hospitals. In the chronic stage, it is required to regularly visit a neurologist, as well as take courses of medications aimed at improving brain activity, restoring atactic and motor defects.

Prevention

Preventive measures taken to prevent different types encephalitis, differ and are represented by the following activities:

Preventive measures that can, if possible, prevent infection with tick-borne and mosquito-borne encephalitis are preventive vaccination of people living and / or working in areas possible infection. Standard vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis includes 3 vaccinations and gives stable immunity for 3 years.
Prevention of secondary encephalitis involves timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of infectious diseases.
Restriction of tourist trips to countries where infection with viral encephalitis is possible through mosquito bites.

Inflammation of the membranes of the brain (Meningocephalitis) occurs in all animal species, dogs and horses are more often ill. In animals, in most cases, meningitis is accompanied by simultaneous inflammation of the solid meninges(Pachymeningitis), mild (Leptomeningitis) and arachnoid (Arachnoiditis) and is acute. The division of inflammation of the brain and its membranes is very conditional, since a widespread lesion usually develops with a predominant localization in one or another department - meningoencephalitis (Meningoencephalitis).

Etiology. The main cause of meningoencephalitis is infection. The most important in animals are viral encephalomyelitis caused by neurotropic viruses ( , ) or pantrotropic viruses ( , ). Meningoencephalitis in animals can develop with bacterial infections (, and,). Meningoencephalitis can develop as secondary disease with penetrating injuries of the skull, with the transition of the inflammatory process from closely located tissues (frontal sinuses, middle ear, eye, ethmoid bone), with osteomyelitis, surgical sepsis, endometritis, endocarditis and purulent-necrotic processes. Contributes to the occurrence of meningitis bruises and concussions of the brain, allergic condition due to colds and intoxications, weakening of the general resistance of the body as a result of overheating, overwork, long-term transportation of the animal and vitamin and mineral starvation.

Pathogenesis. With meningoencephalitis of bacterial etiology, the infectious agent enters the meninges and brain via the lymphogenous or hematogenous route, with cerebrospinal fluid from the subdural or subarachnoid spaces. Neurotropic viruses enter the central nervous system along neural pathways. Reproduction of the pathogen that has entered the brain is accompanied by inflammatory dystrophic processes in the endothelium of capillaries, destructive processes in nerve cells. In most animals, the inflammatory process begins in the membranes of the brain and passes to the substance of the brain. The main form of the tissue reaction of the central nervous system during inflammation is arterial hyperemia with perivascular infiltration limited to the mesenchyme around the vessels or extended to the surrounding perenchyma. As a result of malnutrition, dystrophic changes develop in nerve cells up to necrosis.

Hyperemia cerebral vessels, exudation, obstructed outflow of lymph in the animal leads to an increase intracranial pressure, disorder of brain functions and the occurrence of cerebral phenomena. From where the localization of the inflammatory process will occur, a sick animal has a variety of focal symptoms.

Clinical picture. Clinically, meningitis manifests itself extremely diversely, depending on the location of the inflammatory process and the degree of damage to the meninges.

In a typical case acute course meningitis, the disease begins with a rapid increase in the complex of symptoms of a disorder of the central nervous system (meningeal syndrome): lethargy, depression, limited mobility of the eyeballs, "missing gaze" of the animal. The gait becomes unsteady; when walking, the sick animal raises its limbs high, stumbles. Reflexes slow down and disappear.

Then the animal has a fit of excitement, reaching a rampage in which the animal seeks to free itself from the leash, rushes forward, rushes from side to side, makes arena movements, hits the surrounding objects, looks around with concern, trembles, snorts, lows. The breath of the animal becomes sniffling, salivation appears, convulsive contractions of the muscles. With convulsive contractions of the masticatory muscles, the flowing saliva is churned into foam. Periods of excitation, which in the animal usually last several minutes and rarely up to an hour, are replaced by a sharp depression: the sick animal is unable to stand on its feet, falls, rises with difficulty. Having risen from the floor, the sick animal stands indifferently, with its head bowed low.

With focal brain damage, the animal develops eyeball trembling (nystagmus), uneven pupil dilation (anisocoria), strabismus, convulsive contractions of the muscles of the lips, ears, turning into paralysis of the muscles of the face, eyelids, tongue and pharynx.

Periods of depression alternate with excitation until the animal enters a coma.

The body temperature in sick animals is increased, during the course of the disease it fluctuates. During the period of excitation, the frequency of the pulse and respiration in a sick animal increases, and during the period of oppression it slows down. There is no chewing gum, we register hypotension of the scar (contractions of the scar are sharply weakened), intestinal motility is slow and weakened, the abdominal walls are tense during palpation.

Meningoencephalitis in animals is acute (2-3 days), with a disease in an animal, complications may occur (aspiration and hypostatic pneumonia).

Rarely in animals chronic course a disease in which general brain phenomena are expressed to a lesser extent. Focal symptoms meningoencephalitis in an animal is manifested by strabismus, blindness, deviation of the head to the side, convulsions and paresis.

Pathological changes. At autopsy of dead animals, we note hyperemia and swelling of the meninges, sometimes with hemorrhages. The cerebral ventricles and subarachnoid space are filled with liquor, with purulent meningitis purulent exudate is found in the subdural and sudbarachnoid spaces. With purulent encephalitis in the substance of the brain, we find scattered abscesses of various sizes. In encephalitis caused by neurotropic viruses, changes in the form of non-purulent encephalitis of the lymphocytic type are localized mainly in the gray matter of the brain. Histological examination in the meninges reveals rejection of the endothelium of blood vessels and perivascular infiltrates of cells of the lymphoid or histiocytic type.

Forecast unfavorable in most cases. Recovered animals have paresis, paralysis or epileptiform convulsions.

Diagnosis is put on the basis of anamnesis and a characteristic clinical picture (disorder of the function of the cortex and subcortical centers). AT cerebrospinal fluid find an increased content of protein with a predominance of the globulin fraction and a large amount cellular elements. For early and objective diagnosis of meningitis, the Friedmann reaction is used: 0.05 ml (one drop) of a 1% solution of potassium permanganate is added to 1 ml of cerebrospinal fluid obtained by cervical puncture. With meningitis, the violet color of the cerebrospinal fluid turns into red or red-brown, and with purulent meningitis, adding 2-3 drops of a 20% solution of trichloroacetic acid precipitates.

Differential Diagnosis. When conducting a differential diagnosis, it is first necessary to exclude infectious diseases- , . From non-contagious diseases, we exclude uremia, mycotoxicoses, acute form and sheep, and poisoning.

Treatment sick animals is ineffective and justified only for valuable animals. A sick animal is isolated in spacious stalls, with abundant bedding. To prevent the possibility of injury, the walls are lined with straw mats. Owners of sick animals and caregivers should avoid noise and bright lights. Medical treatment should be comprehensive, taking into account the specific etiological factor that caused the disease. With purulent meningoencephalitis, antibiotics are used, including modern cephalosporins. With non-purulent and viral meningoencephalitis, a course of treatment is carried out intravenous injections urotropin and glucose. To reduce intracranial pressure, an atlantoepistrophic or suboccipital puncture is indicated. With severe symptoms of arousal, sedatives are prescribed: chloral hydrate (in enemas and intravenously), bromides, chlorpromazine, medinal, veronal, seduxin.

In all cases, desensitizing agents are used (diphenhydramine, pipolfen, suprastin, calcium chloride).

To reduce intracranial pressure, diuretics are used (beckons, furosemide, diacarb).

To combat acidosis, a 4-5% solution of sodium bicarbonate is administered intravenously, 400-800 ml to large animals. In order to remove the detoxification of the body intravenously, hemodez, reopoliglyukin are dripped.

In all forms of the disease, vitamin preparations are administered parenterally: B1, B6, B12, ascorbic acid. With indications - cardiac, with respiratory failure - cytiton, lobelin. To improve nutrition nerve cells small animals are given lecithin. To accelerate the resorption of inflammatory foci, apply iodine preparations: potassium or sodium iodide, bioquinol, sayodin.

Sick animals are fed with crushed, better semi-liquid food, watering is not limited.

Prevention meningoencephalitis is based on timely and scheduled diagnostic studies (tuberculinization, etc.) and anti-epizootic preventive measures(vaccination, quarantine, etc.), radical treatment of animals with various purulent processes, especially in the head area. Of great importance in prevention is the increase in the body's resistance, full and balanced nutrition, the prevention of vitamin and mineral starvation and the elimination of factors contributing to the onset of the disease (colds, overwork, etc.).

- inflammation of the meninges. The disease is caused by various bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, fungi. The soft and arachnoid membranes and closely associated with them become inflamed choroid plexus ventricles.

With meningitis, the absorption and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid is disturbed, which leads to the development of intracranial hypertension. The substance of the brain and spinal cord, roots, cranial nerves, brain vessels can be involved in the process. Primary meningitis occurs as an independent disease, while secondary meningitis is a complication of somatic diseases.

Symptoms of meningitis

Meningitis is characterized by meningeal syndrome: vomiting, neck stiffness, Kernig and Brudzinsky symptoms, general hyperesthesia, high fever, inflammatory changes cerebrospinal fluid.

Depending on the nature of the disease and its stage, the severity individual symptoms varies widely. The diagnosis of meningitis is based on the characteristics of the clinical picture and the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as on the data of its bacteriological and virological examination.

Meningism - irritation of the meninges without penetration of infection into the subarachnoid space (the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid is normal), often observed at altitude common diseases accompanied by intoxication and high fever. Depending on the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid, meningitis is divided into purulent and serous.

Purulent meningitis is characterized by the presence of neutrophilic pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid, exceeding 500 cells per 1 cubic meter. ml. Purulent meningitis can be caused by various pathogens: meningococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, streptococci, Escherichia coli, etc.

Meningococcal meningitis - see Meningococcal infection.

Pneumococcal meningitis mainly affects young children and people over 40 years of age (in the latter it is the most common form of purulent meningitis). Sources of infection and factors contributing to the transition of the lesion to the membranes of the brain are chronic otitis media and sinusitis, mastoiditis, skull trauma, alcoholism, immune disorders. As with meningococcal meningitis, there may be prodromal symptoms of general malaise and subfebrile temperature. Skin rashes uncharacteristic, except for herpes labialis. The clinical picture is typical of severe bacterial meningoencephalitis. Short-term shutdowns of consciousness, convulsions and paralysis of the cranial nerves are characteristic. A very typical greenish color of cloudy cerebrospinal fluid. Without treatment, the disease leads to death in 5-6 days, however, even with adequate treatment, mortality is high (up to 50%).

Treatment of meningitis

Identification of the pathogen by bacteriological examination, which sometimes takes a long time, is possible only in 70-80% of cases. AT acute stage many sporadic cases of purulent meningitis do not have sufficiently convincing etiological signs, therefore, first of all, penicillin is prescribed at the rate of 200,000-300,000 U / kg, and for infants 300,000-400,000 U / kg per day, which is an average for adult patients 24 000 000 IU/day

Penicillin is administered at 4-hour intervals (6 times a day) in adults and at 2-hour intervals in infants. Higher doses of penicillin are needed only when treatment is started late or when symptoms of meningoencephalitis are evident. In such cases, along with the / m administration, the intravenous administration of the sodium salt of benzylpenicillin is also indicated - from 4,000,000 to 12,000,000 IU / day.

Instead of benzylpenicillin for purulent meningitis, semi-synthetic penicillins - ampicillin can also be used. sodium salt, oxacillin, methicillin. Ampicillin is administered at 2 g every 4 hours intramuscularly or intravenously (up to 12 g / day), for children - 200-400 mg / kg intravenously every 6 hours.

Sometimes penicillin is added to / in the introduction of sulfamonomethotoxin on the 1st day, 2 g 2 times, and on subsequent days, 2 g 1 time per day.

In case of intolerance to penicillin, gentamicin (up to 5 mg / kg per day), chloramphenicol (up to 4 g / day), vancomycin (up to 2 g / day) are used. Wide spectrum action has cephaloridine (tseporin).

The optimal spectrum of antibiotics is as follows: meningococcus, pneumococcus - benzylpenicillin, or, amoxicillin, or levomycetin, or cephaloridine (6 g / day); Afanasiev-Pfeifer stick - ampicillin and chloramphenicol.

Combined treatment of meningococcal meningitis with multiple antibiotics has no advantage over massive doses of penicillin or ampicillin. However, in meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae, it is necessary to combine ampicillin and levomycetin, if coli in the cerebrospinal fluid - ampicillin and gentamicin, if streptococcus is detected - penicillin and gentamicin. Intralumbally, in severe cases, add penicillin, gentamicin or streptomycin. In severe cases, immediate plasmapheresis is necessary, followed by the introduction of fresh frozen plasma up to 1-2 liters (adult dose).

Serous meningitis is characterized by lymphocytic pleocytosis within a few hundred cells per 1 µl.

Tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis in most cases develops gradually, manifesting itself as a growing headache against a background of low temperature, to which vomiting, adynamia, and stupor join only a few days later. At the beginning of the 2nd week of the disease, a lesion of the cranial nerves, usually the oculomotor and (or) abducens, is detected; at the end of the 2nd week there is a disorder of function pelvic organs and confusion. Half the time tuberculous meningitis occurs against the background of an active tuberculous process, most often in patients with hematogenous disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis. Currently, the disease is equally common in both children and adults. On the early stages disease, it is difficult to differentiate tuberculous meningitis from viral meningitis. Even minor signs of impaired oculomotor innervation and a decrease in glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid are the most important arguments in favor of tuberculous lesions of the membranes.

Treatment of tuberculous meningitis

Isoniazid (tubazid) 0.3 g 3 times a day (adults), streptomycin intramuscularly 1 time per day at a dose of 1,000,000 IU, rifampicin. Often, atambutol is additionally prescribed. Chemotherapeutic drugs are combined with glucocorticoid hormones - 15-30 mg / day of prednisolone orally. With the phenomena of meningoencephalitis, it is necessary intensive therapy cerebral edema. For the prevention of polyneuropathy and seizures sometimes caused by tubazid and its analogues, vitamin B6 and phenobarbital are prescribed.

Forecast. With the timely start of treatment, which lasts for many months, as a rule, complete recovery occurs. In the case of delayed diagnosis, especially if blackouts, focal brain lesions and hydrocephalus are observed, the outcome is poor, and most of the survivors have residual symptoms.

Viral meningitis

Causative agents of viral meningitis: Coxsackie, ECHO, benign lymphocytic choriomeningitis and mumps viruses; serous meningitis can also be caused by any other neurotropic virus, when at the height of viremia, the membranes of the brain are involved in the process. Outside of an epidemic outbreak, the clinical picture of aseptic meningitis, as a rule, has no specifics.

The disease begins acutely or subacutely: with a moderate increase in temperature, headache, vomiting, general malaise, voltage neck muscles and Kernig's sign. Significant signs of general intoxication are usually not observed. Pharyngitis is not uncommon. There are no blood changes. The cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis with a slight increase protein at normal glucose levels. Among viral meningitis, the most important is meningitis (or meningoencephalitis), which occurs in 0.1% of cases of mumps. Neurological syndrome develops 3-6 days after the onset of the disease. Occasionally, mumps meningitis takes a severe course, accompanied by brain damage. When treating patients with mumps meningitis, one should be aware of the possibility of developing polyneuropathy, an isolated lesion of the auditory nerve, as well as concomitant lesions of the pancreas (abdominal pain) and gonads (orchitis).

Treatment of viral meningitis

Symptomatic treatment: analgesics, diuretics, tranquilizers, antihistamines, bed rest. The vast majority of patients with aseptic meningitis are subject to hospitalization in infectious diseases departments due to the high contagiousness of enterovirus infections. Forecast. In most cases, recovery occurs within a few days or weeks.

Inflammation of the meninges and the brain can be formed under the influence of factors such as: bacteria (meningococci, pneumococci), viruses and protozoa. Depending on the factor causing development disease, it can be sudden and very violent (meningococci) or slowly progressing and latent (tuberculosis).

Brain inflammation can also be caused by non-infectious factors, which include: brain tumors, leukemia, lead poisoning, or taking a drug such as methotrexate.

Causes of inflammation of the meninges and brain

Pneumococcus is one...

Among bacteria, most cases of inflammation of the brain were recorded as a result of infection Neisseria meningitidis(diplococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Haemophilus influenzae type B, among fungi - Cryptococcus neoformans, Coccidioides immitis.

Neurotropic viruses are the main cause of etiological encephalitis. The most common - vesicular inflammation of the brain - is caused by the herpes virus. Inflammation of the brain can also be caused by some protozoa.

To non-infectious causes inflammation of the meninges and brain include tumors (leukemia, cancer of the lymphatic tissue, brain tumors, brain metastases), sarcoidosis, lead poisoning, and the use of certain medicines such as methotrexate.

Symptoms of inflammation of the meninges and brain

The disease develops very quickly and its first symptom is a headache. In typical cases, in addition to severe headache, nausea and vomiting, fever and chills also occur. The patient has stiff neck muscles and the so-called. Brudzinski's symptoms.

This includes:

cervical symptoms- passive flexion of the head to the chest;
zygomatic symptoms- when pressing on the cheek below the zygomatic arch, the patient's arms reflexively bend in elbow joints and shoulders rise;
pubic symptoms- with pressure on the pubis, the legs bend at the knee and hip joints.

Some patients develop hypersensitivity to stimuli, agitation, disorders, and even loss of consciousness. When it comes to brain damage, seizures appear.

Diagnosis and treatment of inflammation of the meninges

Inflammation of the meninges and brain is only diagnosed when a sample is examined cerebrospinal fluid- that is, an increased content of protein and the number of white blood cells will be detected.

Causal treatment is used, which consists in the eradication of the pathogen that caused the disease. Therefore, antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics, such as penicillin, aminoglycosides, third-generation cephalosporins), anti-tuberculosis and antifungal drugs are used. When viral infection it is impossible to eliminate the cause, therefore, symptomatic treatment is prescribed, and in extremely severe cases, antiviral drugs and interferon.

Vaccines are also available on the market for certain pathogens that cause inflammation of the meninges. These are drugs against meningococci, Haemophilus influenzae type B and tick-borne meningitis virus. Encephalitis and meningitis are considered as a serious threat to the life of the patient, since even with a mild course they can lead to serious complications.

Depending on the specific affected area, this condition can be of several varieties.

Let us consider in more detail the symptoms of inflammation of the cerebral cortex and the main methods of treating such an ailment.

Inflammation of the brain: causes

Inflammation of the brain can occur for the following reasons:

1. Meningitis is a disease in which the lining of the brain becomes inflamed. Its development can be provoked by various viruses, bacterial lesions (salmonella, staphylococcus, etc.), severe hypothermia or mushrooms.

According to their classification, meningitis can be serous or purulent.

According to the form of the course, the pathology is acute, subacute and chronic.

In addition to the main reasons, cause acute meningitis may the following diseases:

Sinusitis, frontal sinusitis or sinusitis;

Inflammation of the lungs in severe degree;

Abscess (may be in different localization);

Chicken pox (chickenpox usually leads to meningitis in adults, as it is more severe);

2. Encephalitis is a very severe pathology in which the patient's brain substance becomes inflamed. Based on statistics, encephalitis is characterized by a difficult course and high mortality rates.

Most often, this disease affects children (more than 75% of all cases).

Encephalitis can be primary and secondary. In the first case, severe viral infections (flu, mosquito and tick bites, herpes) can cause it.

Secondary encephalitis may occur due to complications from the following diseases:

The development of complications after the introduction of the vaccine;

Inflammation of the cerebral cortex: symptoms and signs

Depending on the type and type of disease, inflammation of the brain can have the following symptoms:

1. Meningitis is accompanied by such manifestations:

Rapid increase in body temperature;

Increased blood pressure;

Appearance gray shade skin cover;

Fear of bright light;

Intolerance to strong odors;

Very severe headache, which is localized in the area of the temples and forehead;

Constantly recurring vomiting and nausea;

Intolerance to tactile touches;

Deterioration of muscle tone;

An increase in heart rate.

With the rapid development of the disease, the above symptoms may develop within a day. Next comes swelling of the brain. In this state, the patient may suffer from confusion, convulsions and convulsions.

2. Encephalitis is usually accompanied by such manifestations:

Pain in the joints;

Very severe headaches;

swelling of the airways;

High body temperature;

Hallucinations and other mental disorders;

Deterioration of general well-being;

The appearance of small bruises all over the body;

Violation of the heart rhythm.

Methods for the treatment of inflammation of the lining of the brain

When the first signs of inflammation of the brain appear, you should immediately call an ambulance. In this condition, the person is sent to the intensive care unit of the hospital.

The following procedures will help confirm the diagnosis:

1. Blood and urine tests.

4. The study of cerebral fluid will provide an opportunity to study the degree of the disease, to identify its form and cause.

The treatment of such inflammation is always selected for each patient on an individual basis, depending on the type of pathology, its cause and form of leakage.

Traditional therapy includes:

1. When the brain is damaged by bacteria, potent antibiotics are prescribed. You need to prick them within ten days. Types of antibiotics are selected depending on the causative agent of the disease.

2. When affected by viruses, treatment is carried out on the basis of symptoms (headaches, diarrhea and other symptoms are eliminated).

3. Diuretic drugs are used to relieve cerebral edema.

4. Albumin or isotonic solution can be used to reduce intoxication.

5. Glucocorticosteroids are used to prevent the progression of edema.

6. If the disease was caused by fungi, then antibiotics in this case will be ineffective. In this condition, the patient should be prescribed antimycotic drugs.

7. Antiviral drugs are prescribed for rapid viral damage. Usually, the drug Cytosinarabinosis is used for this purpose.

8. Gammaglobulin is the central and obligatory drug for inflammation of the brain. It has a pronounced therapeutic effect and must be administered intravenously for three days.

9. When observing convulsions or epileptic seizures anticonvulsants are used.

10. At high temperature and fever, antipyretic drugs are prescribed.

It is important to know that meningitis and encephalitis are those categories of diseases that require careful monitoring in the treatment and reasonable selection of drugs. For this reason, self-medication when diagnosing such pathologies is categorically contraindicated.

Features of the treatment of inflammation of the lining of the brain

In addition to traditional drug therapy, the following procedures can be prescribed to a patient with inflammation of the brain:

1. Peloidetherapy or mud treatment. This procedure aimed at stimulating the work of the nervous system, the production of hormones, strengthening carbohydrate metabolism and restoration of lipid metabolism.

The duration of the procedure should be twenty minutes. The course of treatment includes twelve sessions.

2. Thalassotherapy or taking baths with the addition of beneficial chemicals (iodine, calcium, potassium, etc.). These trace elements will penetrate the skin through the sweat glands and enter the bloodstream. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to improve microcirculation in tissues, restore brain dynamics and relieve inflammation.

The course of such treatment includes twenty sessions.

3. Treatment with mineral waters with trace elements (fluorine, copper, zinc). This therapy will help improve the metabolism in the body and reduce inflammation. The course of treatment is four weeks. You need to drink mineral water every morning on an empty stomach.

4. Medicinal electrophoresis is used to enhance the work of the cerebral cortex and activate the processes of homeostasis. The duration of the course is 15 procedures for twenty minutes.

In the absence of timely medical therapy, the patient may develop the following complications:

2. Violation of vision.

4. Violation of memory and hearing.

5. The appearance of epileptic seizures.

6. Development of acute or chronic renal and hepatic failure.

7. Violation of motor functions.

8. Deterioration of the heart.

The main complication of meningitis is considered fatal. It occurs if the patient is not treated within 5-8 days after the onset of the disease.

It is impossible to completely prevent inflammation of the brain, but you can reduce the risk of its development. To do this, follow the doctor's recommendations:

1. Refuse bad habits(smoking, drinking alcohol).

2. Timely treat those diseases that can cause complications in the form of inflammation of the brain.

3. Get vaccinated against mumps, chickenpox and other diseases.

4. Avoid being in places where there are outbreaks of viral encephalitis.

5. Protect yourself from mosquito and tick bites. To do this, being in nature, it is important to wear tight trousers and outerwear. A hat must also be worn on the head.

In addition, to make it easier to notice ticks, clothing should be light-colored.

6. After returning from the forest or glades, you need to carefully examine your clothes, and the children who were with you. It is desirable to shake it and wash it well.

Also, do not forget about pets. Their fur can also hide dangerous insects that carry the disease.

Portal Editor-in-Chief: Ekaterina Danilova

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What is dangerous inflammation of the cerebral cortex and how to treat it

Inflammation of the cerebral cortex, or meningitis, is a disease caused by various bacteria, fungi or viruses. The consequences of such a disease can be very severe and threaten a person's life. Inflammation of the cerebral cortex occurs at any age, but mainly affects children and people with severely weakened immune systems. Fight against meningitis will go faster, if you recognize its symptoms in time and start treatment.

Signs of brain damage

Meningitis is primary when meningococci, pneumococci and others penetrate into the membrane of the brain. pathogenic microorganisms, as well as a secondary form, in which complications of a dangerous disease appear. From the very beginning of the disease, a person develops weakness, a sharp pain in the head, which does not stop for a long time, acute reaction light, smells. Even light touches are unpleasant for a person, sweating increases, and vomiting may not stop for a long time.

The rapid development of the disease leads to the appearance of all characteristic signs during the day, and then, without treatment, cerebral edema develops when the patient has severe convulsions and a delusional state.

The inflammatory process occurs in mild and severe form. Symptoms of mild inflammation of the brain are as follows:

temperature rise to 40 ° and above;
neck muscle stiffness;
severe pain in the head;
the appearance of pain in the eyes;
severe muscle soreness;
lethargy and drowsiness;
vomiting and nausea.

During severe course disease, a person has hallucinations, he loses his memory. Secondary meningitis is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, high sweating, tachycardia, and a darker complexion. The problem is that the symptoms of meningitis are often confused with acute viral diseases, that's why proper treatment starts too late.

Over time, the pain becomes completely unbearable for the patient. Pain aggravated by rapid movements and noise around. Red spots may appear on the body, a small rash, especially with meningococcal disease. Sometimes patients suffer from strabismus due to the effect on the nerve endings.

The patient, a few days after the onset of the first signs, does not breathe properly, urination may be disturbed, drowsiness will appear, and the symptoms of CNS damage will slightly decrease. Further, muscle spasms intensify, paralysis occurs and general weakness person. The development of inflammation of the cerebral cortex and its degree in each person is determined by different factors.

If the treatment has been initial stage, the disease recedes without consequences. AT rare cases inflammation of the cerebral cortex leads to hearing loss, visual impairment and mental development of children. Sometimes meningitis leads to death or a coma, so the first signs of the disease should be the reason for seeking medical help.

Possible Causes of Meningitis

malignant process of the brain;
metastases;
leukemia;
overdose and misuse of certain medicines.

Most often, meningitis is bacterial and viral nature. Bacterial inflammation cerebral cortex is much more severe and is very often caused by meningococci and pneumococci. In many children, meningococci live in the throat for years and do no harm, and in some of them, an inflammatory process in the cerebral cortex develops sharply, leading to death.

Bacteria penetrate the body all year round, but the risk of developing the disease increases significantly in winter and autumn. In 10% of sick children, despite treatment, death occurs, and in another 10% there are severe consequences in the form of paralysis, impaired normal development child and seizures for the rest of his life.

Any pathogen can enter the cerebral cortex with the blood stream or from foci of infection located near the brain, for example, due to otitis media. Inflammation is susceptible to people with weak immunity, after serious injury back, head and because of the defects of the central nervous system. A lumbar puncture will help to find out the reasons, during which the pericerebral fluid is taken by puncturing the skin.

A CT MRI procedure, a general blood and urine test will help to make a diagnosis.

Modern treatment

If the patient has signs of meningitis of any stage, he is immediately hospitalized. Treatment is carried out in the neuroinfectious department or in intensive care only after a complete diagnosis of the patient. Therapy is influenced not only by the symptoms, but also by the causes and extent of brain damage.

In the analysis of fluid from the pericerebral space, many proteins will be present. If the nature of the causative agent of the disease is known, then treatment is prescribed. Prior to antibiotic therapy, seven out of ten patients died from meningococcal infection. Today, such drugs cannot be dispensed with if bacteria have become the cause of the disease. The effectiveness of treatment also depends on when the patient asked for help.

The first step on the road to recovery is taking antibiotics. With cerebral edema, diuretics are needed, they are also prescribed for prevention. Among the antibiotics used penicillin series, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides. Sometimes anti-tuberculosis and anti-fungal medicines are needed.

A group of antibiotics for the treatment of meningitis is selected very strong, and the drug is injected into the body for ten days. The type of drug depends on the course of the inflammatory process.

If a virus has become the cause of the disease, then the doctor prescribes symptomatic treatment to reduce the high temperature, stop hallucinations and delirium. A group of antiviral agents with the use of interferon is prescribed in especially severe cases. Remove intoxication of the body isotonic saline. Edema, in addition to diuretics, is stopped by glucocorticosteroids. Less often, fungi become the cause of the disease, which are eliminated by antifungal agents.

Why is it important to start treatment on time?

At the slightest suspicion of meningitis, treatment of a person should be started. The consequences of brain inflammation are so serious that every minute counts. Among the most dangerous complications is the inflammatory process of the medulla and the development of an abscess.

In case of an abscess surgical intervention because the risk of death is very high. During the operation, the entire focus of inflammation is cut out, but, despite the therapy, about 20% of patients die from inflammation of the cerebral cortex.

Meningitis, even with a mild course, leads to many complications, so you should always monitor your health and not ignore seemingly frivolous symptoms. People often confuse the inflammatory process of the cerebral cortex with widespread viral diseases and go to the hospital too late.

The information is given for general information only and should not be used for self-treatment.

Do not self-medicate, it can be dangerous. Always consult your doctor.

Inflammation of the cortex and vessels of the brain: symptoms and treatment

Inflammation, localized in the brain, is a serious pathology that brooks no delay in treatment. Most often it is caused by meningitis, which in turn causes inflammation of the vessels of the brain - vasculitis. In a special risk group are children under the age of five and middle-aged men, but this disease does not bypass other groups. In order to defeat a disease, you need to be able to recognize it and know how to eliminate it, and we will consider this in detail.

Symptoms of meningitis

In the case when inflammation occurs directly in the cerebral cortex, they speak of secondary meningitis. Symptoms of secondary meningitis can be conditionally divided into three groups, in which various manifestations of the disease are observed:

1. Meningeal group:

Increased intracranial pressure.
Acute hydrocephalus appears.
The test reveals Kernig's symptom.
The tone in the muscles of the neck increases.

2. Infectious group:

3. General brain group:

You can observe vomiting, which appears quite suddenly, without nausea and is in no way connected with meals.
Headaches are localized at the temples and in the frontal part.
Feeling a fear that was not there before harsh sounds and light.

Symptoms of vasculitis of the brain

If meningitis is not cured in time, or at least its treatment is not started, secondary vasculitis may develop, in which the vessels in the brain become inflamed. It develops as comorbidity, and is also very dangerous because it is contagious.

The symptoms of vasculitis are as follows:

Unexplained nausea and vomiting.
Pallor skin on the face.
Pain without clear causes in the head, abdomen, joints and muscles.
Weight loss;

Causes of meningitis

The appearance of secondary meningitis is associated with the presence of one or more of these pathologies:

Otitis media, acute or chronic.
Furuncles in the neck or face. The most dangerous are those that are located above the lips.
Abscess of one or two lungs.
Frontit.
Osteomyelitis of the bones of the skull.

Moreover, meningitis can be caused not only by the presence of all these above ailments, but also by their improper or incorrect treatment, which, as a complication, causes inflammation of the cerebral cortex.

How to treat meningitis and its accompanying vascular vasculitis?

If you observe the symptoms of these two ailments, you should not hesitate. Even if you are afraid that, for some unknown reason, vomiting or circles before your eyes are not a serious reason to call an ambulance or go to the doctor, then remember: it is better to make yourself paranoid once than to die from an illness that was not paid attention to.

If your suspicions about the presence of meningitis are justified, the doctor will immediately refer you to the neuroinfectious department. There, after passing all the tests, the first stage of treatment will begin - antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy is the most important method of treatment, the drug is prescribed by the attending physician and is selected by him depending on the alleged pathogens. The time of taking the drugs is also set by the doctor.

If there is cerebral edema, diuretics are prescribed, sometimes they are prescribed even when there is no edema, just for prevention purposes. After the outpatient treatment is over, the patient switches to home aftercare. This treatment is also prescribed by a doctor. Usually, because of meningitis, a person is released from work and learning activities for up to a year.

But with meningitis, there are also associated ailments, such as vasculitis, which has already been discussed earlier. Its treatment is purely individual, it depends on how severely the vessels are affected.

In no case should you self-medicate, since this is not a disease that can be cured by one medicinal herbs. A drug called Prednisolone is often prescribed. This is a hormone of synthetic origin, it helps to slow down the influence immune system on the walls of the vessels, then there is less load on the vessels and their inflammation weakens a little. The main thing you should do is to consult a doctor and continue to follow his instructions.

Why is it dangerous to neglect treatment?

When the disease was not detected in time, there is a high risk that it will develop into a chronic form. Then relapses are already possible, in which the treatment will be resumed again and again. In addition, complications after meningitis include:

The development of strabismus.
Progressive mental retardation.
epileptic seizures.
The possibility of complete or partial loss of vision and hearing.
Paralysis of the upper or lower limbs.
Renal or liver failure.

But even these terrible consequences cannot be compared with the most terrible - death. Sometimes there are even cases of death on the 7th day of the development of the disease. Meningitis and vasculitis are two very terrible diseases, in which the cortex and vessels of the brain become inflamed. Asymptomatically, these ailments do not occur, they always talk about themselves, even if they are minor headaches. If you listen to your body, you will be able to understand that a disease is occurring in it.

Inflammation of the cerebral cortex consequences

Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) is a serious disease in which inflammation of the brain occurs. It is characterized by changes in neurons, nerve cells and fibers caused by pathogens of encephalitis, which can be both viruses and microbes. Encephalitis is not yet classified according to a single method. Separate primary (provoked by direct exposure to microbes or viruses) and secondary encephalitis (arising as a complication, against the background of other diseases). Depending on the area of localization of the lesion of pathogens, encephalitis is divided into cerebellar, stem, mesencephalic, subcortical, etc.

Symptoms

Symptoms of encephalitis depend on many factors: the causative agent of the disease, its pathology, course and localization. However, there are common symptoms for all types of encephalitis.

Like most infectious diseases, encephalitis is accompanied by fever, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and upper respiratory tract. The patient is disturbed by headaches, vomiting, epileptic seizures and fear of light are characteristic. Encephalitis causes disturbances in consciousness different degrees severity: from lethargy and drowsiness to a coma. Sometimes the disease causes psychomotor agitation(motor restlessness, fussiness, destructive actions) and psychosensory disorders (impaired perception of size, shape, location of objects).

Sometimes encephalitis takes place in asymptomatic, abortive or fulminant forms. Asymptomatic forms occur with mild headache, fever and dizziness. The abortive form is manifested by symptoms characteristic of acute respiratory infections or gastric infections. The most dangerous is the fulminant form of encephalitis. It proceeds in a period of several hours to a couple of days and ends in death. Patients have a high fever, severe headache, and they fall into a coma. Death usually occurs from acute heart failure.

Diagnosis of cerebral hemorrhage here

The reasons

In most cases, the cause of the development of encephalitis are viruses - neuroinfections. In some situations, this disease can become a complication after infectious diseases.

The origin of encephalitis is determined by its type and form. to primary viral encephalitis cause bites of infected insects, herpes viruses, Coxsackie, influenza, rabies. The causes of microbial encephalitis are syphilis and typhus.

Concerning secondary forms this disease, they can develop after malaria, rubella, smallpox, measles, toxoplasmosis. Also, sometimes it can be the result of vaccination - DPT, anti-rabies vaccine, smallpox.

The virus enters human body different ways. So, in the case of a tick or mosquito bite, it enters the brain and other organs through the blood vessels. In addition, the virus can be transmitted by alimentary, contact or airborne droplets.

Treatment

Treatment of mild cases of the disease is mainly as follows:

Bed rest
Reception a large number liquids
Taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aliv) to relieve headaches and lower fever.

More severe cases of encephalitis require intensive antiviral treatment. Antiviral drugs prescribed for this course of the disease:

Some viruses, such as insect-borne viruses, do not respond to similar treatment. However, very often treatment with acyclovir is started immediately. This is due to the fact that it can be very difficult to immediately identify a specific virus, infectious. This drug is effective against the herpes simplex virus, which in the absence of immediate treatment can lead to serious complications or death.

Side effects when taking antiviral drugs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and muscle or joint pain. In rare cases, there are violations in the work of the kidneys, liver, or suppression of activity bone marrow. Appropriate tests are used to monitor for serious side effects.

Patients suffering from severe encephalitis also need additional supportive therapy:

Assisted breathing, as well as careful monitoring of breathing and cardiac activity.
Fluids given intravenously to replace lost fluids and adequate levels of essential minerals.
Taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids to reduce swelling and intracranial pressure.
Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin) to prevent or stop seizures.

Depending on the type and severity of complications following the illness, additional treatment may be required, such as:

Physiotherapy to improve strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.
Rehabilitation for the development of everyday skills and the use of adaptive products that help in everyday life.
Classes with a speech therapist to restore muscle control skills and their coordination during speaking.
Psychotherapy to learn coping strategies and new behavioral skills to treat affective disorders or personality changes. If necessary, apply medications.

Diagnostics

The most important and diagnostically valuable is the study of cerebrospinal fluid, which reveals lymphocytic pleocytosis (from 20 to 100 cells in 1 μl), a moderate increase in protein. Liquor flows under high blood pressure. In the blood, leukocytosis, an increase in ESR are noted. The EEG reveals diffuse nonspecific changes, dominated by slow activity (theta and delta waves).

In the presence of epileptic seizures, epileptic activity is recorded. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals local hypodense changes in the brain. Sometimes there is a picture of a volumetric process in hemorrhagic encephalitis, especially in the temporal lobe. Congestive optic discs are often found in the fundus of the eye.

The etiological diagnosis is based, in addition to typical clinical manifestations, on the results of bacteriological (virological) and serological studies. Virus identification can be difficult and sometimes impossible.

The virus can be isolated from feces and other environments, however, the detection of specific antibodies using serological tests is of the greatest importance: neutralization test (RN), complement fixation test (CFR), hemagglutination inhibition test (HITA), polymerase chain reaction(PCR).

Effects

AT mild form encephalitis passes almost without a trace. With moderate severity, the disease disappears within 2-3 months, and with severe forms The treatment process can take several years. It should be noted that not all patients with encephalitis may develop complications. It all depends on the severity of the disease and its course, the state of health of the patient and his age.

Complications after suffering encephalitis include:

dizziness, pain in the head;
meningitis;
deterioration of vision and hearing, speech;
impaired coordination of movements;
paralysis;
stop breathing;
fatigue and weakness;
enuresis;
weakening of memory;
mental retardation;
mental disorder.

In newborns

Clinical manifestations of intrauterine encephalitis in newborns are largely determined by the duration of the process, its localization, isolation or combination with meningitis. A child can be born with residual symptoms of encephalitis, in the stage of its reverse development or in the acute period of the disease. With late antenatal infection or intrapartum infection, clinical manifestations of encephalitis can develop from the first days of life to the age of 2 weeks.

Residual manifestations of encephalitis are characterized by the presence at birth of calcifications in the thalamus or in other parts of the brain. The general condition in this case can be quite satisfactory, and neurological symptoms are moderately pronounced or absent altogether.

Acute stage of the disease. Intrauterine encephalitis may be accompanied by characteristic neurological symptoms, be blurred or asymptomatic.

The former include convulsions, symptoms of depression, as well as early mental retardation, which persists in the future, after the end of acute period illness. Severe symptoms in encephalitis are usually noted with damage to the cerebral cortex or its stem sections. The latter are also characterized by ocular symptoms and possible bulbar disorders.

But the manifestations of hyperkinesis, so characteristic of encephalitis in older children, are usually not found in newborns.

When the process is localized in the thalamus, encephalitis in newborns is often asymptomatic. Asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic manifestations of encephalitis in the first 2 months of life, without taking into account neurosonography data, in some cases may be with lesions white matter in the form of subcortical leukomalacia.

The erased or asymptomatic course of encephalitis in newborns does not exclude the presence of moderate neurological symptoms, but not directly related to encephalitis, but to concomitant hypoxic encephalopathy or to gestational immaturity inherent in the child.

Encephalitis in newborns can occur in acute form with a pronounced clinical picture and rapid destruction of the brain and subacute, with a gradual and slow development of the disease. Subacute course more typical for cytomegaly and more common in very preterm infants, acute - for herpetic and ECHO-viral infection.

Viral

The form of this disease is characterized infectious inflammation brain, which was caused directly by the pathogen. The disease is accompanied by:

damage to the brain cells and membranes;
a complication of a generalized viral infection;
hypersensitivity reaction, which develops from two to 12 days after infection.

herpetic

This form of encephalitis is caused by the activity of the herpes virus. It is characterized by signs common to all encephalitis:

convulsive syndrome;
hyperthermic syndrome;
disturbance of consciousness.

In adults, the disease is also accompanied by such manifestations:

a sharp increase in temperature to 39 degrees;
confusion of consciousness, manifested in a change of excitation by lethargy and lethargy;
difficulty in walking, the appearance of intentional tremor;
convulsions, epileptic seizures;
soreness of the internal organs.

Consequences of herpetic encephalitis

If left untreated, a chronic form of herpetic encephalitis may develop. In this case, there are intellectual disabilities up to dementia. In less severe cases, this stage occurs in the form of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sometimes an ailment may not leave consequences, but residual undesirable effects are not excluded, which include:

dementia;
convulsions;
hydrocephalus, otherwise called dropsy of the brain;
decortication of the brain (death of the cerebral cortex, complete or partial).