Encephalitis and Meningitis

Subject: Community Health Nursing II

Overview

Acute brain inflammation known as encephalitis. Headache, fever, disorientation, drowsiness, and fatigue are among the symptoms. Seizures or convulsions, tremors, hallucinations, stroke, and memory issues are further symptoms. Meningitis is a relatively uncommon infection that affects the delicate membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, known as meninges (men-in'-jeez).

Encephalitis

Meningoencephalitis is the medical term for encephalitis that is associated with meningitis. Encephalitis is an acute brain inflammation. Headache, fever, disorientation, drowsiness, and fatigue are among the symptoms. Seizures or convulsions, tremors, hallucinations, a brain stroke, and memory issues are further symptoms.

PHC Issue

Here is the course of treatment (which is based on supportive care)

  • Antibiotics for viruses (if virus causes).
  • Antibiotics, (if bacteria is causative) (if bacteria is causing).
  • Brain swelling can be reduced by steroids.
  • Sedatives for agitation.
  • Fever relief with acetaminophen.
  • Physical exercise.

Meningitis

  • Meningitis is a relatively uncommon infection that affects the delicate membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, known as meninges (men-in'-jeez). Meningitis caused by bacteria is fatal and spreadable among those in close proximity.
  • Viral meningitis often has a milder course, and the majority of patients fully recover without special treatment.
  • A uncommon type of meningitis called fungal meningitis usually affects immunocompromised individuals.

PHC Issue

  • A combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and other painkillers is frequently used to treat viral meningitis at home. Viral meningitis cannot be treated with antibiotics.
  • Meningitis caused by bacteria or fungi is frequently treated in the intensive care unit, either for a brief period of observation or for a longer duration if you are sick. To begin treating bacterial meningitis, make sure that Your blood pressure and breathing are normal.
    • Fluids are administered after an IV line is placed.
    • A heart monitor is attached to you.
    • Antibiotics may be administered intravenously.

In an effort to lessen the severity of the illness, steroids may be administered.

  • More intensive medical treatment may be provided if you are in critical condition.
  • To assist with breathing, a breathing tube (intubation) may be inserted.
  • Incision sites for larger IV lines include the neck, chest, and groin. It is possible to use medications to lower blood pressure and stop seizures.

To test your hydration, a catheter may be inserted into the bladder (or fluid status)

 

REFERENCE

Ambika Rai, Kabita Dahal. Community Health Nursing II. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2012 (reprint).

Dr.Suwal S.N. & Tuitui R. (2063) A Textbook of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition, Vidyarthi Prakashan (P). Ltd. Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu.

MedicineNet. 1996. 2017 http://www.medicinenet.com/encephalitis_and_meningitis/article.htm.

Medscape. 1994. 2017 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/791896-overview.

NHS Choice. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Encephalitis/Pages/Causes.aspx.

Tuitui, Roshani. Community Health Nursing. Kathmandu: Vidyarthi Prakashan (P.).

 
Things to remember
  • A severe brain inflammation is encephalitis.
  • Meningoencephalitis is the term for encephalitis accompanied by meningitis.
  • Meningitis is a relatively uncommon infection that affects the delicate membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, known as meninges (men-in'-jeez).
  • In close contact, bacterial meningitis can spread quickly and be fatal.
  • Viral meningitis often has a milder course, and the majority of patients fully recover without special treatment.
  • A uncommon type of meningitis called fungal meningitis usually affects immunocompromised individuals.
Questions and Answers

Encephalitis(fromAncient Greek,enképhalos"brain",composed of ,en, "in" and ,kephalé, "head", and the medical suffix-itis"inflammation") is anacuteinflammationof thebrain.Encephalitis withmeningitisis known asmeningoencephalitis. Symptoms includea headache,fever,confusion,drowsiness, andfatigue. Further symptoms includeseizuresorconvulsions,tremors,hallucinations,stroke, andmemory problems.

PHC Issue

Treatment (which is based on supportive care) is as follows

  • Anti- viral medications (if virus causes)
  • Antibiotics, (if bacteria is causing)
  • Steroids are used to reduce brain swell
  • Sedatives for restlessness
  • Acetaminophen for fever
  • Physical therapy(if brain is affected post-infection)

 

Meningitis

Meningitis is a relatively rare infection that affects the delicate membranes -- called meninges (men-in'-jeez) -- that cover thebrain and spinal cord.Bacterial meningitiscan be deadly and contagious among people in close contact.

Viral meningitistends to be less severe and most people recover completely without specific therapy.

Fungal meningitis is a rare form of meningitis and generally occurs only in people with weakened immune systems.

PHC Issue

Viral meningitis is often treated at home with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and otherpainmedications. Antibiotics are not helpful in treating viral meningitis.

Bacterial or fungal meningitis, are often admitted to the intensive-care unit, for either a short period of observation or a longer period if you are ill. Care of bacterial meningitis begins by ensuring that

your breathing and blood pressure are adequate.

  • An IV line is inserted and fluids are given.
  • You are placed on a heart monitor.
  • Intravenous antibiotics may be given.

Steroids may be given to try to decrease the severity of the disease.

  • If you are extremely ill, more aggressive medical care may be given.
  • A breathing tube (intubation) may be inserted to help with breathing.
  • Larger IV lines may be inserted in the groin, the chest, or the neck. Medications may be given to improving blood pressure and to stop seizures.

A tube (catheter) may be placed into the bladder to check your hydration (or fluid status)

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