Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis overview: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Ordinarily, the measles virus does not cause brain damage, but an abnormal immune response to measles or, possibly, certain mutant forms of the virus may cause severe illness and death. This leads to brain inflammation (swelling and irritation) that may last for years. | Ordinarily, the measles virus does not cause brain damage, but an abnormal immune response to measles or, possibly, certain mutant forms of the virus may cause severe illness and death. This leads to brain inflammation (swelling and irritation) that may last for years. | ||
==Risk Factors== | |||
SSPE tends to occur several years after an individual has measles, even though the person seems to have fully recovered from the illness. 1 in 100,000 people infected with measles are at risk. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:10, 14 December 2012
|
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis Microchapters |
|
Differentiating Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis from other Diseases |
|---|
|
Diagnosis |
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis overview |
|
Directions to Hospitals Treating Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare chronic, progressive encephalitis that affects primarily children and young adults, caused by defective measles virus (which can be a result of a mutation of the virus itself). 1 in 100,000 people infected with measles are at risk. SSPE is 'incurable' but the condition can be managed by medication if treatment is started at an early stage. Much of the work on SSPE has been completed by the NINDS.
Causes
Ordinarily, the measles virus does not cause brain damage, but an abnormal immune response to measles or, possibly, certain mutant forms of the virus may cause severe illness and death. This leads to brain inflammation (swelling and irritation) that may last for years.
Risk Factors
SSPE tends to occur several years after an individual has measles, even though the person seems to have fully recovered from the illness. 1 in 100,000 people infected with measles are at risk.