{"id":9589,"date":"2019-08-10T23:15:25","date_gmt":"2019-08-10T23:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9589"},"modified":"2021-04-22T20:35:12","modified_gmt":"2021-04-22T20:35:12","slug":"16-general-signs-of-encephalitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-general-signs-of-encephalitis\/","title":{"rendered":"16 General Signs of Encephalitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain because of an infection. It is rare in the United States, but when it does occur less than 200,000 cases are reported yearly. Encephalitis is spread by insects and animals. It is a viral or bacterial infection. In some cases, it caused by a disorder of the immune system. If it is treated early it usually goes away in days or weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In severe cases, the emergency room is the only place that can heal encephalitis. It can even cause death. When you have encephalitis there are signs to look out for. In the beginning, the signs may not cause concern for you, but over time, it can become dangerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encephalitis is a serious infection and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Once you figure out that you have it, you\u2019ll need to try to prevent it from happening a second time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Mild flu-like signs of encephalitis will occur. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since it is the flu<\/a>, you\u2019ll want to take over-the-counter cold medicine to treat it. It won\u2019t go away. It may get worse since you\u2019re taking over-the-counter cold medicines. The cold medicines may not agree with encephalitis. You\u2019ll be bedridden until you\u2019re able to get to your doctor. Once you go to the doctor, the doctor needs to give you a series of imaging tests. The imaging tests will show what is going on when your brain. It should show that you have encephalitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since it is in its mild stage, you will be given a prescription medication and other medical equipment, if needed. It just depends on how the signs of the flu are doing to your body. With the flu, you will be congested and may need to get an oxygen tank until encephalitis goes away.
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2. Headache is another sign that you have encephalitis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reason for the headache <\/a>is because there is inflammation in your brain. Bacterial or viral infection is taking over your brain. Rest needs to be done until you\u2019re able to get medical treatment. You may be tempted to relieve your headache with Tylenol. Tylenol may help a little bit, but the headache will come back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to take more Tylenol than what is recommended because it can kill you if you do. The best option is to go to the hospital or your primary care physician where tests on your head can be done. This process will belong to the hospital, but it is worth it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fill the prescription that is given to as soon as you leave and follow the doctor\u2019s orders. Once the headache goes away, continue taking the medicine as prescribed by the doctor.
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3. Aches in the joints and muscles is a sign you have encephalitis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The aches in the joints <\/a>and muscles may happen suddenly. If you\u2019re a physically active person, this will frustrate you because if you try to do any low or high impact exercises, it will cause more pain. Ibuprofen and muscle rubs may work for a few hours, but the aches will come back. If the muscle aches last longer than you are normally used to, let a doctor conduct a complete physical examination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The physical examination will give the doctor some idea of what is going on in your body. The reason for muscle aches is because your brain is sending signals throughout your body. Since you\u2019re having muscle and joint aches, you will need to be bedridden until encephalitis heads completely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any sudden movements will cause pain. It is a good idea to lay on one side for a few hours and switch to the other side to prevent bedsores.
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4. Fever is a sign you have encephalitis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The fever occurs because you have an infection<\/a> to the brain. The brain is inflamed and the only way to lower your fever is to get an ice pack and place it on your forehead until you receive medical treatment. With a fever, you\u2019ll feel sick to do anything. If you happen to get out of bed, you may feel dizzy because of having the fever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wherever you decide to go for medical treatment, let someone take you. You are in no condition to drive yourself to a medical facility. It may feel like days to be seen by a medical professional since you have a fever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may even be dehydrated, so you may not be able to leave until you are hydrated. This is usually done at the hospital. Medication will need to be filled once you leave the medical facility. 
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5. Seizures are another sign that you have encephalitis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you have seizures there is something wrong with the brain. With encephalitis, the brain is inflamed because of the infection. Seizure <\/a>is a serious condition and it is difficult to control. Hospitalization is needed if the seizures are unable to be controlled. On the other hand, some seizures don\u2019t have convulsions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a person has never had seizures before, this should be of concern to the person. At the hospital, you will find out that you have encephalitis. Don\u2019t be alarmed even though, it\u2019s a serious condition, encephalitis can be treated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you didn\u2019t have the early signs of encephalitis, that\u2019s why it causes you to delay your visit to see a doctor. Besides encephalitis medication, you may be given a seizure medication as well. You may need to stay at the hospital overnight, so the doctors can monitor your condition.
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6. Confusion is a serious sign that you have encephalitis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The brain has an infection and confusion can happen. You may not know where you are at. You can even get lost when you go out. When you go out, always have someone with you because it can become frustrated not knowing where you are. It is time to seek medical attention when you get like this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no reason you should be confused, especially if you are not at that age to be having signs of confusion. If you don\u2019t have anyone with you, you\u2019ll need to stay home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since encephalitis <\/a>is in the severe stage, the doctor may request that you have a nursing assistant to assist you until encephalitis goes away. Follow up tests will be given to your brain to see if it looks normal. The confused state you were in will go away and you can go back to living your life.
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7. Speech and hearing problems happens when you have encephalitis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reason your speech and hearing problem is that the signal to your brain isn\u2019t working correctly. Your speech may be slurred and have a difficult time hearing. A speech therapist<\/a> will try to help with the speech problem, but it won\u2019t work. The same with a hearing specialist, treatment won\u2019t do any good. Sometimes a primary care physician may not know what treatment to give you unless a complete physical is given. With a complete physical, imaging and blood tests are given. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The primary physician will notice that there is a problem with your brain. Additional tests may need to be conducted to get an accurate diagnosis. Once it\u2019s diagnosed, treatment can be given. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The doctor may decide to let you go to speech and hearing therapists since treatment may start working since you\u2019re taking prescription medication for encephalitis.
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8. Loss of consciousness is a serious sign that you have encephalitis. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can lose consciousness anywhere and at any time. Someone will need to take you to the emergency room to revive you. Once you\u2019re revived, you\u2019ll need to stay in the hospital for a few days. It is serious and the doctors have to figure out why you lost consciousness in the first place. Imaging and blood tests will be done to see what caused you to lose consciousness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encephalitis is the reason for losing consciousness. Your doctor will explain to you why you got the infection<\/a>. While at the hospital, the doctors will see if you continue to lose consciousness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you leave the hospital, you\u2019ll need to take steps to prevent getting encephalitis again, such as wearing protective clothing when going outside. If you have pets, keep them clean by giving them a bath every time they go outside.
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