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Encephalitis(Chamki fever): symptoms,causes, precautions, treatment, prevention

  • Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused most commonly by viral infection, affecting the central nervous system and hampering the neurological functions. There are two types of encephalitis - primary and secondar
  • Primary encephalitis occurs when a virus or other agent directly infects the brain while secondary encephalitis results from a weak immune system's reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body.
  • It is a serious public health problem in the country, currently engulfing the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.
  • Mild cases of AES may cause no symptoms. Most mild flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, aches in muscles or joints and fatigue or weakness.
  • Some severe symptoms include confusion, agitation or hallucinations, seizures, loss of sensation or paralysis, muscle weakness, speech and hearing difficulties, loss of consciousness.
  • It most commonly affects children and young adults and can lead to morbidity and mortality. They show symptoms like bulging in the skull, nausea and vomiting, body stiffness, poor feeding, irritability.
  • In India, the most common cause is the virus that causes Japanese encephalitis (JE), Health ministry attributes 5-35% of encephalitis cases to JE virus. It can also be caused by Nipah or Zika virus.
  • To prevent encephalitis, practice good hygiene,get vaccinations, and protection against mosquitoes.
  • Mild encephalitis can be treated usually by bed rest and penty of fuild intake. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve can also be taken.
  • Viral encephalitis requires antiviral medications like Zovirax, Cytovene, Foscavir.
  • However, you should not take any medication without consulting a doctor.

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