Is encephalitis lethargica curable?
There is little evidence so far of a consistent effective treatment for the initial stages, though some patients given steroids have seen improvement. The disease becomes progressive, with evidence of brain damage similar to Parkinson’s disease. Treatment is then symptomatic.
Is encephalitis lethargica still around?
There has been no epidemic recurrence of encephalitis lethargica since the early 20th century, but putative sporadic cases continue to occur.
What is the main cause of encephalitis?
Encephalitis is most often due to a virus, such as: herpes simplex viruses, which cause cold sores (this is the most common cause of encephalitis) the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. measles, mumps and rubella viruses.
What is von Economo encephalitis?
Von Economo encephalitis is a disorder of possible autoimmune origin that affects the midbrain, pons, basal ganglia, and substantial nigra.
What are the early symptoms of encephalitis lethargica?
Some of the symptoms of encephalitis lethargica include:
- High fever.
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
- Lethargy.
- Double vision.
- Delayed responses, both physically and mentally.
- Sleep inversion.
- Catatonia or unresponsiveness.
Is encephalitis lethargica a mental illness?
Treatment for encephalitis lethargica is symptomatic. Levodopa and other antiparkinson drugs often produce dramatic responses. Encephalitis lethargica is a disease characterized by high fever, headache, double vision, delayed physical and mental response, and lethargy.
Is Spanish Flu related to encephalitis lethargica?
Encephalitis lethargica (EL) was a mysterious epidemic, temporally associated with the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic. Numerous symptoms characterized this disease, including headache, diplopia, fever, fatal coma, delirium, oculogyric crisis, lethargy, catatonia, and psychiatric symptoms.
Does sleeping sickness still exist?
Without treatment sleeping sickness typically results in death. The disease occurs regularly in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa with the population at risk being about 70 million in 36 countries. An estimated 11,000 people are currently infected with 2,800 new infections in 2015.
How does a baby get encephalitis?
Encephalitis may happen after a viral illness. This may be an upper respiratory infection, or an illness that causes diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Encephalitis can also happen after a bacterial infection such as Lyme disease, tuberculosis, or syphilis.
What is El disease?
Encephalitis lethargica (EL) is a disease characterized by high fever, headache, double vision, delayed physical and mental response, extreme tiredness (lethargy), and sometimes coma.