What are the most serious symptoms of encephalitis?
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What are the most serious symptoms of encephalitis?
Sometimes the signs and symptoms are more severe, and might include:
- Confusion, agitation or hallucinations.
- Seizures.
- Loss of sensation or paralysis in certain areas of the face or body.
- Muscle weakness.
- Problems with speech or hearing.
- Loss of consciousness (including coma)
When should you suspect encephalitis?
The diagnosis of acute encephalitis is suspected in a febrile patient who presents with altered consciousness and signs of diffuse cerebral dysfunction.
Can you feel brain swelling?
Symptoms of brain swelling include headache, dizziness, nausea, numbness or weakness, loss of coordination or balance, loss of the ability to see or speak, seizures, lethargy, memory loss, incontinence, or altered level of consciousness.
How long do symptoms of encephalitis last?
How Long Does Encephalitis Last? Most of the time, the acute phase of the illness (when symptoms are the most severe) lasts up to a week. Full recovery can take longer, often several weeks or months.
Do encephalitis symptoms come and go?
Encephalitis sometimes starts off with flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature and headache. More serious symptoms come on over hours, days or weeks, including: confusion or disorientation.
How can you tell if you have a brain infection?
CT and MRI scans can also be used to diagnose a brain abscess. In some cases, your doctor may need to perform a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap. This involves the removal of a small amount of cerebral spinal fluid to test for any problems other than an infection.
How do you tell if your brain is inflamed?
One of the most common symptoms of brain inflammation is brain fog, that feeling of slow and fuzzy thinking. Other common brain inflammation symptoms include depression anxiety, irritability, anger, memory loss, and fatigue. Even getting a song stuck in your head is a symptom.
How do you rule out encephalitis?
Tests for encephalitis can include:
- Neuroimaging, such as a brain MRI or CT scan.
- A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for signs of infection in the brain or spinal cord.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) to look for seizures or specific patterns of electrical activity in the brain.
Why do I feel uncomfortable in my head?
The most common causes of pressure in the head are tension headaches and sinus headaches. Both of these conditions respond well to treatments. In rare cases, pressure in the head is a sign of a more serious condition. If the issue persists, you should see your doctor.
What is the prognosis of encephalitis?
The prognosis for encephalitis varies. Some cases are benign and patients recover fully. Other cases are severe. The type of infection present and how quickly treatment starts determine the prognosis. The acute phase of encephalitis may last for one to two weeks, with gradual or sudden resolution of fever and neurological symptoms.
How to diagnose encephalitis?
Symptoms of encephalitis include fever and headache, in addition to lethargy and confusion. Health care professionals make a diagnosis of encephalitis by performing a spinal tap to examine the cerebral spinal fluid. A CT scan or MRI of the brain may also be of use. The underlying cause of the encephalitis determines the treatment.
What are the signs and symptoms of uveitis?
Aching,painful eye (s)
What are the treatment options for encephalitis?
If encephalitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. Treatment for herpes-related encephalitis includes supportive care, as well as antiviral therapy with a drug such as acyclovir.