ENCEPHALITIS

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• Encephal/o =brain
• -itis = inflammation
• Caused usually by infections like the viral infections or even by bacteria
• Caused also by mosquitos and tick bites

There are 2 main types of encephalitis. A primary and a secondary type. Primary is when a virus directly infects the brain and spinal cord. Secondary the infection starts elsewhere and travels to the brain.

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• Occurs in 1 of 200,000 people
• Patients are mainly children, people over 65 of age, and people with a weak immune system.

COMPLICATIONS

• Loss of memory
• Behavioral and/or personality changes such as mood swings, frustration and anger, and anxiety
• Epilepsy- seizures
• Aphasia- language and speech problems

SIGNS AND SYPTOMS

• Mumps
• Hivs
• High Fever
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Coma
• And many others

TESTING

• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
• Brain imaging
• Lab test- blood, urine, throat swabs
• Electroencephalogram (EEC)- an electric record of the brain

TREATMENTS

• Depends on age and immune system status
• I.V fluid
• Vaccinations
• Mosquito repellent
• Long clothing
• Corticosteroid (reduces swelling)

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