Re: Good info on Lymes..Kristy and others

[Guest guest]

Kristy

I find the lyme information very interesting concerning ASD. Dr G

has mentioned encephalitis to me (Brain inflammation) concerning

ASD. I looked this up on a kids health website and found the

following information. Interestingly, lymes is related to some

extent to encephalitis..hmmmm. the other Kristie

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/encephali

tis.html

Encephalitis literally means an inflammation of the brain, but it

usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus. It's a rare

disease that only occurs in approximately 0.5 per 100,000

individuals - most commonly in children, the elderly, and people

with weakened immune systems (i.e., those with HIV/AIDS or cancer).

Although several thousand cases of encephalitis (also called acute

viral encephalitis or aseptic encephalitis) are reported to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) every year, experts

suspect that many more may go unreported because the symptoms are so

mild.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms in milder cases of encephalitis usually include:

fever

headache

poor appetite

loss of energy

just a general sick feeling

In more severe cases of encephalitis, a person is more likely to

experience high fever and any of a number of symptoms that relate to

the central nervous system including:

severe headache

nausea and vomiting

stiff neck

confusion

disorientation

personality changes

convulsions (seizures)

problems with speech or hearing

hallucinations

memory loss

drowsiness

coma

It's harder to detect some of these symptoms in infants, but there

are still some important signs to look for including:

vomiting

a full or bulging soft spot (fontanel)

crying that doesn't stop or that seems worse when an infant is

picked up or handled in some way

body stiffness

Because encephalitis can follow or accompany common viral illnesses,

there are sometimes characteristic signs and symptoms of these

illnesses beforehand. But often, the encephalitis appears without

warning.

Causes

Because encephalitis can be caused by many types of germs, the

infection can be spread in several different ways.

Of the many different kinds of viruses that can cause encephalitis,

one of the most dangerous and the most common cause of encephalitis

is the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is the same virus that causes

cold sores around the mouth, but when it attacks the brain it may be

fatal in as many as half of newborns who become infected and up to

28% of individuals after the newborn period. Fortunately, HSV

encephalitis is very rare.

Encephalitis can be a complication of Lyme disease transmitted by

ticks, or of rabies spread by rabid animals.

Mosquitoes can also transmit the viruses for several types of

encephalitis, including West Nile encephalitis, St. Louis

encephalitis, and Western Equine encephalitis. Over the last several

years in the United States, there's been concern about the spread of

West Nile virus, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that

pick up the virus by biting infected birds.

Milder forms of encephalitis can follow or accompany common

childhood illnesses, including measles, mumps, chickenpox, rubella

(German measles), and mononucleosis. Viruses like chickenpox spread

mostly via the fluids of the nose and throat, usually during a cough

or sneeze.

Less commonly, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection,

such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other

infectious diseases like syphilis. Certain parasites, like

toxoplasmosis, can also cause encephalitis in people with weakened

immune systems.

Contagiousness

Brain inflammation itself is not contagious, but any of the various

viruses that cause encephalitis can be. Of course, just because a

child gets a certain virus does not mean that he or she will develop

encephalitis. Still, to be safe, children should avoid contact with

anyone who has encephalitis.

Prevention

Encephalitis cannot be prevented except to try to prevent the

illnesses that may lead to it. Encephalitis that may be seen with

common childhood illnesses like measles, mumps, and chickenpox can

be largely prevented through proper immunization. Have your child

immunized according to the immunization schedule recommended by your

child's doctor. Children should also avoid contact with anyone who

already has encephalitis.

In areas where encephalitis can be transmitted by insect bites,

especially mosquitoes, children should:

Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk (when mosquitoes are most

active).

Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and long pants.

Use insect repellent.

Also, all standing water around your home should be drained,

including buckets, birdbaths, and flowerpots, because these are

breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Some things you can do to avoid tick bites:

Limit your child's contact with soil, leaves, and vegetation.

Have your child wear long-sleeved, light-colored shirts and long

pants.

Check your child and your pets frequently for ticks.

Duration

For most forms of encephalitis, the acute phase of the illness (when

symptoms are the most severe) usually lasts up to a week. Full

recovery can take much longer, often several weeks or months.

Diagnosis

Doctors use several tests to diagnose encephalitis, including:

imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic

resonance imaging (MRI), to check the brain for swelling, bleeding,

or other abnormalities

electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the electrical signals in

the brain, to check for abnormal brain waves

blood tests to confirm the presence of bacteria or viruses in the

blood, and whether a person is producing antibodies (specific

proteins that fight infection) in response to a germ

lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, in which cerebrospinal

fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) is

checked for signs of infection

Treatment

Some children with very mild encephalitis can be monitored at home,

but most will need care in a hospital, usually in an intensive care

unit. Doctors will carefully monitor their blood pressure, heart

rate, and breathing, as well as their body fluids, to prevent

further swelling of the brain.

Because antibiotics aren't effective against viruses, they aren't

used to treat encephalitis. However, antiviral drugs can be used to

treat some forms of encephalitis, especially the type caused by the

herpes simplex virus. Corticosteroids may also be used in some cases

to reduce brain swelling. If a child is having seizures,

anticonvulsants may also be given.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, like acetaminophen, can be used

to treat fever and headaches.

Most people with encephalitis make a full recovery. In a small

percentage of cases, swelling of the brain can lead to permanent

brain damage and lasting complications like learning disabilities,

speech problems, memory loss, or lack of muscle control. Speech,

physical, or occupational therapy may be necessary in these cases.

Rarely, if the brain damage is severe, encephalitis can lead to

death. Infants younger than 1 year and adults older than 55 are at

greatest risk of death from encephalitis.

When to Call Your Child's Doctor

Call your child's doctor if your child has a high fever, especially

if he or she also has a childhood illness (measles, mumps,

chickenpox) or is recovering from one.

Seek immediate medical attention if your child has any of the

following symptoms:

severe headache

convulsions (seizures)

stiff neck

inability to look at bright lights

double vision

difficulty walking

problems with speech or hearing

difficulty moving an arm or leg

loss of sensation anywhere in the body

sudden personality changes

problems with memory

extreme drowsiness or lethargy

loss of consciousness

If your infant has any of the following symptoms, seek immediate

medical care:

high fever or any fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38

degrees Celsius) in infants younger than 3 months of age

fullness or bulging in the soft spot

any stiffness

floppiness or decreased tone

lethargy

poor appetite or reduced feeding

vomiting

crying that won't stop

Reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD

Date reviewed: January 2005

Originally reviewed by: Klein, MD