Infectious encephalitis is treated by getting rid of the germs that caused it. There are different medicines for different germs. If the person has seizures, there are medicines for those, too. Medicines for autoimmune encephalitis help reduce the inflammation by stopping the immune system from attacking the brain.
Viral Infections
Viral infections like herpes simplex, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), chicken pox and rotavirus are infections caused by a virus instead of a bacterium. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, but some specific viruses like influenza A and B can be treated with certain antiviral medications. Most commonly, treatment for viral infections includes drinking lots of fluids, getting rest, eating well and letting the illness run its course.
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Jumo Health answeredSee All 2 AnswersInfectious encephalitis occurs when viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites get into the brain. Usually the body's immune system protects the brain by fighting off these germs. But sometimes the germs are too strong and the immune system can’t fight them off. The germs multiply and attack the brain. This makes the brain swell up and stops it from working properly. This is infectious encephalitis.
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Signs and symptoms of encephalitis include feeling very sleepy and confused. People with encephalitis may get so confused that they might not be able to recognize their family members. They may also have headaches.
People with infectious encephalitis might have a fever. Some people might also have seizures. Seizures are when there are too many electrical messages from the brain and the body starts shaking.
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Many infections caused by contact with pets, the environment around pets or pet waste are bacterial, parasitic or fungal, but a few are viral. Diseases caused by contact with animals are called zoonoses. By far, most skin infections caused by contact with pets are fungal or parasitic in nature (ringworm, scabies, etc.); viruses that can be spread from animals to humans are not considered skin infections (such as rabies or norovirus). Most people will not need to avoid having a pet in order to stay healthy, but some people should take extra precautions around animals so that they don't get sick. These people include infants, young children, pregnant women, people with HIV/AIDS and organ transplant patients. Your doctor can advise you on specific steps you should take in order to avoid potential infections.
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Flaccid paralysis has been associated with the West Nile virus. West Nile virus, in unusual cases, causes a polio-like condition in which the spinal cord becomes inflamed. The paralysis, as with polio, does not cause sensory loss to the affected area. Polio is probably the best-known infectious cause of flaccid paralysis, but the autoimmune disease Guillain-Barre syndrome is now the main cause of acute flaccid paralysis. More recently, outbreaks of the Zika virus have been linked to flaccid paralysis. West Nile virus was first identified in the United States in 1999.
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To diagnose encephalitis, doctors will do computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to take pictures of the brain.
Next, doctors may do a lumbar puncture, taking some of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord in the back. The spinal cord is connected to the brain, so testing the fluid from the spinal cord lets the doctors know if there’s a problem in the brain. The doctors numb the skin around the spine before inserting the needle. This means that the lumbar puncture doesn’t hurt too much.
Finally, doctors might also use an electroencephalogram (EEG) test. This is when the doctors put sensors on the head and check the electrical activity inside the brain. If there are seizures, it will alter the electrical pattern. This change will be detected and show up on the EEG printout.
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There are no cures for viral skin infections, and some infections can reoccur. For example, different types of the herpes virus, which can cause cold sores and genital herpes, stays in specific body nerves. Warts, caused by the human papilloma virus, can be difficult to treat and may recur. Although the herpes zoster virus stays in the body, shingles usually does not recur and may be prevented by a vaccine.Molluscum contagiosum infection usually goes away on its own (if the person's immune system is not compromised) and does not return. Treatment is not always needed for viral skin infections, but, when necessary, treatment may include taking antiviral drugs and treating the symptoms of the infection.
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If you're caring for someone with encephalitis, you should know that people with encephalitis might have trouble remembering things and might get tired more easily. People with encephalitis need extra support from everyone in the family.
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RealAge answeredFoot-and-mouth disease, also called hoof-and-mouth disease, is a viral infection that affects animals with cloven (divided) hooves, such as cows, goats, sheep and deer (but not dogs, horses, or cats). It is caused by the FMD virus, part of the Picornaviridae virus family. Because of its name, it's often confused with another disease that affects people, called hand-foot-mouth (or hand, foot and mouth) disease. People can't contract the animal disease, and animals can't contract the human disease. In animals, symptoms of hoof-and-mouth disease include blisters in the mouth and on the feet. It is possible for people to spread the disease to other animals through contaminated clothing, shoes or other objects. Contaminated food, water, vehicles, and buildings can also spread the disease. It can cause the animal pain and even be fatal. -
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Viral conjunctivitis (an inflammation of the clear membranes covering the white of the eye and the inner side of the eyelid) is contagious. Children with viral conjunctivitis may need to stay home from school until the fever or other symptoms resolve. The same viruses that are responsible for colds and infections of the ear, sinuses and throat can also cause viral conjunctivitis. Children with viral conjunctivitis do not benefit from taking antibiotics.