There are several types encephalitis. But the most common form that begins to appear with the onset of the warm season is tick-borne encephalitis.
Tick-borne encephalitis is a disease with damage to the central nervous system that occurs as a result of the penetration of a viral natural focal infection. This is a fairly common disease, which is mostly seasonal in nature.
Virus carriers, of which 29 strains, are ixodid ticks. Zones of primary distribution are considered to be Siberia, the Urals, the central regions of Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belarus, Poland and other countries with a temperate climate.
The virus itself is quite resistant to thermal influences. It dies after 10 minutes at a temperature of 60 degrees, and when boiled, it remains viable for 2 minutes. It is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and is rapidly destroyed under its influence. Chlorine-containing drugs and lysol completely destroy the virus.
The peak incidence occurs in May-June.
Encephalitis - Causes
The main cause of encephalitis is the bite of an ixodid tick. This insect inherits the virus and passes it on to the next generation. But in addition to ticks, the infection can transform birds, rodents and predatory animals. People with 20–40 years of age are primarily affected by encephalitis.
Infection can occur not only directly by contact with the skin, but also through the use of human milk of an infected animal (usually goats). You can also introduce the infection with the hands with which the tick was crushed (in case the virus enters the mucous membranes of the eyes or mouth, as well as in fresh wounds).
Encephalitis - Symptoms
In the human body, the virus spreads with a blood stream. The brain and spinal cord are also involved in the cycle of infection. First of all, motor neurons suffer from damage. The incubation period is 10 days.
In a person infected with encephalitis, the following signs of the development of the disease appear:
• intoxication,
• Vomiting,
• Headaches,
• fever,
• Redness of the skin of the face and neck,
• Focal inflammation at the site of a tick bite,
• lowering blood pressure,
• Bradycardia,
• Photophobia,
• Stiff neck.
With early detection and an uncomplicated form, the prognosis is favorable. If the diagnosis and treatment were carried out with a delay, then a transition to another form is possible - "meningoencephalitis". In this case, hallucinations, convulsions, delirium, epilepsy begin. This is due to deep damage to the cranial nerves.
Encephalitis - diagnosis
Encephalitis can be diagnosed by laboratory tests. An increase in the number of antibodies in the patient’s blood and cerebrospinal fluid is evidence of infection.
An analysis of peripheral blood shows an increase in the number of white blood cells and an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Encephalitis - treatment and prevention
Encephalitis treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital, under the supervision of specialists. Patients are prescribed bed rest. At the same time, they carefully monitor the prevention of pressure sores. Urination and bowel movements are necessary.
The most effective drug for treating encephalitis is gamma globulin. It is administered for 3 consecutive days. In addition to this medication, ribonuclease injections are used. When the second wave of the disease appears, the drug is repeated.
Along the way, detoxification and dehydration therapy is carried out. If the disease has acquired a severe form, then measures are taken to combat respiratory failure, corticosteroid drugs are prescribed.
Patients recover slowly. An extract is possible not earlier than after 2-3 weeks of intensive treatment, provided that the normal functions of the body are restored and the patient's temperature stabilizes.
Within six months after suffering encephalitis, patients are advised to spare forms of work with the release of business trips and heavy physical labor. Mental stress during the rehabilitation period is also contraindicated.
The neuropathologist monitors the state of the patient who has been discharged for another 2 years.
As preventive measures when walking, it is recommended to use special preparations that scare away their ticks and other blood-sucking insects. After walking, you need to wash your hands thoroughly. The use of milk is possible only after boiling.
In places of increased likelihood of encephalitis infection, vaccination is carried out every season of tick activity.
