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Encephalitis
Symptoms of childhood cold and encephalitis
Some common symptoms of encephalitis secondary to a cold in children primarily include fever, usually moderate to high, though some may exhibit low fever. Next, symptoms such as headache, dizziness, primarily around the forehead, crown, or occipital region, may occur. This is followed by vomiting, which is generally more evident after eating or drinking, with some exhibiting persistent vomiting. Additionally, some may experience lethargy, weakness, or even seizures.
Does encephalitis cause a runny nose?
Encephalitis can potentially cause a runny nose, as it is mainly caused by viral infections. These infections not only invade brain cells, leading to symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and even seizures related to the nervous system, but can also affect the respiratory tract. If these viruses accumulate in the respiratory tract, particularly in the nasal mucosa, they will definitely cause symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, expectoration, and sore throat. Therefore, it is evident that patients with encephalitis can exhibit symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Moreover, some patients initially present with respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, before the viruses enter and infect the brain cells. Patients with encephalitis must receive timely treatment, primarily symptomatic treatment to prevent complications, along with antiviral medication for targeted treatment. Most patients have a good prognosis.
How is encephalitis in children treated?
Encephalitis in children is generally treated based on the cause of the infection. It could be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or other pathogens. The most basic treatment is definitely to address the cause of the encephalitis. If there are other symptoms such as fever or seizures, symptomatic treatment should be administered based on these symptoms. The treatment plan should be tailored to the specific condition of the child.
How is encephalitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of encephalitis cannot rely solely on auxiliary examinations; it must depend on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and corresponding physical examination. If a patient presents with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and signs of nuchal rigidity upon examination, the possibility of encephalitis should be considered. Additionally, severe cases of encephalitis may exhibit seizures, cognitive changes, and personality alterations. Auxiliary examinations mainly include three types: the first type is imaging studies, primarily brain MRI, which can clearly identify the specific areas of the brain affected and determine which brain lobe is damaged. The second important examination is an electroencephalogram (EEG), which can detect diffuse slow waves, especially a significant presence of delta waves, highly indicative of encephalitis. The third important auxiliary examination is lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid analysis; an increase in white blood cells and protein in the cerebrospinal fluid also suggests inflammation within the skull. Therefore, the main auxiliary examinations for encephalitis include MRI, EEG, and lumbar puncture.
Viral encephalitis and bacterial encephalitis differences
There are significant differences between viral encephalitis and bacterial encephalitis in clinical settings. Firstly, their clinical symptoms differ; the fever in viral encephalitis is generally lower than that in bacterial encephalitis, where there may be widespread chills and persistent high fever. From another perspective, laboratory tests also help differentiate the two. In viral encephalitis, a routine blood test shows no increase in white blood cells, mainly an increase in the proportion of lymphocytes. In contrast, bacterial encephalitis is characterized by a significant increase in white blood cells, which aids in distinguishing the two. Furthermore, an essential diagnostic tool is the lumbar puncture, through which cerebrospinal fluid can be tested. In viral encephalitis, the white blood cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid is slightly increased; in bacterial encephalitis, it is significantly increased. The cerebrospinal fluid in viral encephalitis has a slight increase in protein content with no significant change in chloride levels; however, in bacterial encephalitis, the protein content in the cerebrospinal fluid is notably higher, and there is a significant decrease in chloride levels.
How to check for encephalitis?
To check for encephalitis, the main aspects of examination include the following. First, a complete blood count is necessary, which helps to determine if there is an increase in white blood cells and to assess the proportion of various types of white blood cells; this is a basic test. The second examination is an electroencephalogram (EEG), if the EEG shows abnormalities, it may suggest a diagnosis of encephalitis. The third examination involves cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If the encephalitis is severe, the MRI can reveal lesions, which also suggests a diagnosis of encephalitis. The fourth examination is invasive, involving a lumbar puncture. This test allows for the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, assessing whether there is an increase in white blood cells and proteins in the fluid, which plays an important role in the diagnosis of encephalitis. In summary, diagnosing encephalitis necessitates a complete blood count, cranial MRI, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, and a comprehensive EEG examination.