Viral encephalitis medical therapy

Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic or protozoal infestations, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death.

Medical therapy

Treatment is usually symptomatic. Reliably tested specific antiviral agents are available only for a few viral agents (e.g. acyclovir for herpes simplex virus)and varicella-zoster encephalitis. Treatment for Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus encephalitis are available but are used with limited success. In patients who are very sick, supportive treatment, such as mechanical ventilation, is equally important. General considerations in treatment are:

• Administer the first dose of acyclovir as soon as possible (in the emergency department itself). This helps in decrease in complications that may occur with delay in therapy. Acyclovir can be initiated with or antibiotics or steroids
• Lab tests like blood samples should be taken before initiation of therapy.
• Neuroimaging with MRI or CT scan should be done before lumbar puncture especially if raised intracranial tension is suspected.