Encephalitis
Encephalitis -ENCEPHALITIS
Encephalitis literally means an inflammation of the brain, but it usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus. It may also be called “acute viral encephalitis or aseptic encephalitis”. Encephalitis is an infectious disease of the Central Nervous System characterized by pathologic changes in both the gray and white matter of the spinal cord and brain. It may be due to specific disease entity such 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. Exposure can also occur through insect bites, food or drink, or skin contact.
Once the virus has entered the blood stream, it can localize the brain causing inflammation of brain cells and surrounding measures. White blood cells invade the brain tissue as they try to fight off the infection. The brain tissue swells (cerebral edema) and can cause destruction of nerve cells, bleeding 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 shock can occur.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Mild cases absent superficial reflexes
Sudden fever *** exaggerated deep tendon reflexes
Poor appetite opisthotnos
Loss of energy nuchal rigidity
General sick feeling increases resp. tract problems
Severe Cases
High fever sore throat
Severe HA *** malaise
N/V *** muscle stiffness
Stiff neck *** photophobia
Pupils of different sizes visual disturbances
Confusion tremors
Disorientation spastic or flaccid paralysis
Personality changes irritability
Convulsions muscle weakness
Problems in speech or hearing lethargy
Hallucinations delirium
Double vision incontinence
Difficulty moving an arm or leg ptosis
Involuntary movement (including eye)
Difficulty walking diplopia
Loss of sensation in part of body strabimus
Memory loss changes in level of consciousness
Drowsiness increased restlessness
Coma *** projectile vomiting
Motor dysfunction
In infants VS changes
Vomiting
Bulging of soft spot (fontanelle)
Crying that doesn’t stop (intractable crying)
ENCEPHALITIS
NURSING MEASURES
Fluid balance monitored (I&O)
Body weight to prevent dehydration and fluid overload and attendant...
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