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How Is Encephalitis Treated?
This phase usually lasts a week or two, after which symptoms resolve gradually or sometimes suddenly.
Because it is often difficult to ascertain the cause of encephalitis, doctors generally prescribe an antibiotic immediately until a bacterial cause can be ruled out.
If herpes virus is suspected, doctors will put the patient on the anti-viral drug acyclovir, usually given intravenously. This is normally done right away because the medicine can help if given early enough. It can also be discontinued if another cause is found.
If the illness is caused by an enterovirus or arbovirus, patients are usually treated for their symptoms and made as comfortable as possible.
- A quiet, dark environment and medication for headaches is most helpful.
- Narcotics are sometimes given for pain, but used sparingly to avoid any drug-induced changes in brain function.
- Drugs like dexamethasone (a steroid) injections or other steroids may be given to reduce the inflammation and swelling of the brain.
- If seizures occur, they will require treatment with anti-convulsant medications.
- In rare, severe cases where the patient is unconscious, he or she may need help with breathing. Patients are monitored closely to watch for any possible complications.
For post-infectious encephalomyelitis, doctors can do little more than make the patient comfortable. There have been some reports that corticosteroid treatments may help, although there is not much data available at this point.
As the patient recovers, the focus often shifts to rehabilitation if there appears to be any lingering neurological problems. Follow-up evaluations for psychiatric, intellectual, vision or hearing abnormalities are usually warranted. If problems are found, a rehabilitation specialist can prepare a course of treatment to correct them.
Many cases of encephalitis are linked to viruses. The expanding research in virology triggered by the AIDS epidemic may lead to better drugs to combat viral forms of the illness in the future.