encephalitis Encephalitis refers to an inflammatory disease affecting the brain parenchyma, which can be caused by viral, bacterial, and other microbial infections. Its main clinical features include fever, seizures, varying degrees of consciousness impairment, and in severe cases, coma and even death.

Encephalitis refers to an inflammatory disease of the brain parenchyma, which can be caused by viral, bacterial, and other pathogenic microorganism infections. Its main clinical features include fever, seizures, varying degrees of consciousness impairment, and in severe cases, coma and even death.

The causes of encephalitis include:

Viral infections, which are the primary cause of encephalitis

A small portion of cases are caused by bacteria or parasites, while fungal encephalitis is relatively rare.

Viral Encephalitis

Different types of viruses can cause different forms of viral encephalitis. Common viruses that can cause viral encephalitis include:

Arboviruses: such as the Japanese encephalitis virus

Herpes viruses: including the herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus

Enteroviruses: such as echovirus, coxsackievirus, and poliovirus

Other viruses causing encephalitis: such as mumps virus, measles virus, dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Bacterial Encephalitis

Direct bacterial infections can lead to encephalitis, such as purulent encephalitis (brain abscess), tuberculous encephalitis, and brucellosis encephalitis.

Fungal Encephalitis

Fungal encephalitis can be caused by infections such as cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, actinomycosis, candidiasis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis.

Spirochetal Encephalitis

Spirochetal encephalitis is often secondary to diseases such as neurosyphilis, central nervous system leptospirosis, and Lyme disease.

Parasitic Encephalitis

Protozoal encephalitis: caused by toxoplasmosis, cerebral malaria, cerebral toxocariasis, cerebral amoebiasis, and African trypanosomiasis.

Helminthic encephalitis: caused by cerebral schistosomiasis, neurocysticercosis, neuroangiostrongyliasis, and neurognathostomiasis.

Patients who are bedridden for an extended period should pay attention to preventing complications such as pneumonia, bedsores, deep vein thrombosis, and urinary tract infections.

Common symptoms of encephalitis include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and varying degrees of consciousness impairment (such as confusion or drowsiness). In severe cases, coma, seizures (partial or generalized), abnormal behavior, personality changes, brain herniation, and even death may occur.

Daily Life Management for Encephalitis Patients

Regarding exercise: actively participate in exercise within one's capabilities to enhance physical fitness and immunity.

Regarding diet: the diet should be light and nutritious, focusing on high-protein and high-vitamin foods, consuming plenty of vegetables and fruits, as well as iodine-rich foods, and paying attention to balanced nutrition.