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What is Encephalitis Lethargica?
appear first in 1917 in the form of a all-inclusive bedspread epidemic , encephalitis lethargica is an unusual form of encephalitis . Also called “ sleepyheaded sickness ” or “ Nellysa disease ” , this illness was discovered by a neurologist named Constantin von Economo . It is probably triggered by a neurotropic virus and affects all age groups and both the sex .
Encephalitis lethargica principally affects baby , unseasoned youngster and seniors . swampland live birds and mosquito air this disease to humans and equine animals as well . Encephalitis lethargica is a seasonal disease and come mainly during summer and other fall .
Encephalitis Lethargica can be knifelike , subacute or chronic in nature . The characteristic features of this disease are degenerative an instigative change in the thalamus and around the mid - brain . Next are changes note in the pons , medulla , and basal ganglion . Spinal corduroy can also get diffusely affected . The brain legal injury in encephalitis lethargica can at times go away patients in a statue - like state . The course of encephalitis lethargica varies importantly for different individuals , especially when accompany by simultaneous or pre - existent disorders and diseases .
What Causes Encephalitis Lethargica?
The accurate causal agency of phrenitis lethargica are not known yet . However , it is trust to be caused as a result of an auto - resistant response which can be linked to pathology orinfectious viral , fungal , bacterial , rickettsia orparasitic diseases .
What are the Symptoms of Encephalitis Lethargica?
The symptoms of encephalitis lethargica are base on the stages and asperity of the disease . In acute stage of encephalitis lethargica , there is all-encompassing and persistent back andneck pain , headache , frenzy , and convulsions . The symptom of encephalitis lethargica also include disturbance in sleep pattern , restlessness at dark andinsomnia . Visual noise like irregular eye apparent movement , unequalpupils , blurred visionanddoubled visionare also common symptom in this unwellness . Patients also stick out from unvoluntary apparent movement like myoclonus intention earth tremor .
The disease is reform-minded in nature and is known to cause potential wit harm likeParkinson ’s disease . After being in its knifelike stage for some fourth dimension , encephalitis lethargica disease either gets arrested or step by step passes into a continuing stagecoach . Chronic form of encephalitis lethargica is mark by features of mental symptom , parkinsonian syndrome , ocular abnormalities , somnolence , sluggishness , fever , sore throat , tics , hefty pain , tremors , torticollis , oculogyric crisis , choreaand even coma . Parkinson - philosophical system can rise over a full stop of months or years .
How is Encephalitis Lethargica Diagnosed?
Correct identification of the kind of encephalitis that the patient is suffering from is extremely important for deciding the appropriate course of instruction of treatment . The diagnosing of encephalitis lethargica is principally based on the symptom experienced by the patient . The doctor would also inquire about any late illness or exposure to computer virus to get a right history , which help in diagnosis of encephalitis lethargica .
sealed test may help to corroborate the diagnosis of encephalitis lethargica , which include lumbar puncture , MRI scanor electroencephalogram ( EEG ) . Blood examination to check the blank blood cell count and comportment of virus or bacteria in the body may want to be conducted as well . The MD can zero down on encephalitis lethargic if the affected role ’s shape can not be linked to any other known neurologic condition and they show influenza - like symptom , hypersomnia , opthalmoplegia , sentience or being alert and psychiatric change . Biopsy or analysis of brain tissue sample distribution may be require to support the diagnosis of encephalitis lethargica .
How is Encephalitis Lethargica Treated?
Treatment of encephalitis lethargica include modern glide slope like immunomodulation therapy , and treatments to relieve specific symptoms . The treatment of encephalitis lethargica in the other stages primarily focalise on stabilizing the patient . It is very unmanageable to treat this disease in its initial stage and little grounds of logical strength of the treatments has been recorded so far . However , the atmospheric condition of some patients who have been givensteroidshave shown melioration . Parkinsonism is treat with anti - Parkinson drugs like levodopa . However , many patient who take this drug experience improvement in symptom , which are short lived . Other form of encephalitis may also go with encephalitis lethargica .
What is the Prognosis for Encephalitis Lethargica?
Prognosis of encephalitis lethargica varies but complete retrieval occurs in just 20 % of cases . Mortality pace in case of cephalitis lethargic is around 2 % to 12 % . This rate is higher in case of untried children and survivors are left with chronic disabilities like blindness , hemiplegia , genial retardation andspeech disorder .
How can Encephalitis Lethargica be Prevented?
With the advancement of medical skill , sure potential causes of encephalitis lethargica can now be prevent successfully . Prevention of encephalitis lethargica is also potential by bar of some related infections . The eradication of variola and vaccination againstmeasles , epidemic parotitis , and rubella ( MMR ) has considerably lessen the occurrence of encephalitis lethargica , specially in children . vaccinum have been developed for masses who travel to high - risk neighborhood as well . Some other ways of prevent this sickness is by keeping oneself protect against mosquito and avoiding people with active viral malady which can further cause encephalitis lethargica .
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