Encephalitis - Essay examples -- essays research papers

ENCEPHALITISEncephalitis literally means an punk of the brain, but it usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus. It whitethorn also be called &8220acute viral encephalitis or aseptic encephalitis. Encephalitis is an infectious distemper of the Central Nervous dust characterized by pathologic changes in both the gray and white affaire of the spinal cord and brain. It whitethorn be due to specific disease entity such(prenominal) as rabies or an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus), or it may occur as a sequela of influenza, measles, German measles, chicken pox, herpes virus infection, small pox, vaccinia, or other diseases. The specific viruses involved may vary. mental picture can also occur through insect bites, food or drink, or skin contact. Once the virus has entered the line of reasoning stream, it can send the brain causing inflammation of brain cells and surrounding measures. White blood cells invade the brain tissue as they try to fight polish off the in fection. The brain tissue swells (cerebral edema) and can cause destruction of nerve cells, bleed with in the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage), and brain damage. This can cause neurologic deficits such as parplysis, speech changes, increased intracranial pressure, respiratory failure, seizure disorders, and horrify can occur.SIGNS AND SYMPTOMSMild cases absent superficial reflexesSudden fever ***                magnify deep tendon reflexesPoor appetite                    opisthotnosLoss of energy                    nuchal rigidnessGeneral sick feeling               increases resp. tract problemsSevere CasesHigh fever                          sore throatSevere HA ***                    malaiseN/V ***                        ... ...rin90% resp. tract infection5 to 7% prior illnes (chicken pox)S/S 5-7 days after viral illness, n/v, mental changes, lethargy, indifference, confusion, delirious, fast breathing as progresses breathing sluggish, seizures, coma may dieTX no cure support heart, lung, and brain function Keep blood levels balanced. ICU. logical argument samples, I&O, adjusting blood by IV, b/p, icp, breathing monitored maiden recognized in 1963 by acute brain disorder and fatty infiltration of liver and pancreas, heart, kidney, spleen, and lymph nodes. Mortality rate as high as 80%S/S hepatomegaly without jaundice in 40%, encephalopathy and altered liver function, combative behaviorTX blood electrolyte s controlled carefully, liver biopsyNI Neurological assessment, temp, alleviate hyperthermia, seizure precautions, I&O, impaired liverwort function, (signs of bleeding), tell don&8217t give aspirin. Peak incidence age 6. 1st noted in 1974 with 400 cases following epidemics of influenza B outbreak and chicken poxTX aggressive support to sort out metabolic abnormalities (hypoglycemia) and hemorrhage from blood clotting disordersSince 1987 no more than 35 cases/yr nation wide (usually