Can influenza virus cause encephalitis?
Background: Acute influenza-associated encephalopathy/encephalitis (IAE) in adults is a rare but well-known complication of influenza virus infection. The diagnosis is difficult to make due to the absence of distinctive clinical symptoms and validated diagnostic criteria.
Can influenza cause neurological problems?
Seizures are the most common neurologic complication, occurring as febrile seizures, as exacerbations in patients with epilepsy, or as symptoms of other influenza-induced neurologic disorders. Encephalopathy is the second most common neurologic complication associated with influenza.
What causes acute necrotizing encephalopathy?
The disease is caused by both environmental factors and genetic factors. Usually, ANE develops secondary to viral infections, among which the influenza A, influenza B, and the human herpes virus 6, are the most common. ANE can be familial or sporadic, but both forms are very similar to each other.
Does influenza cause brain swelling?
Rapidly progressive neurological deterioration, seizures, and coma occur around 26 hours after the onset of influenza symptoms. Neuroimaging shows cerebral oedema in the majority of cases, but around 10–20% will show features of acute necrotising encephalopathy (see below).
How is encephalitis diagnosed?
Tests for encephalitis can include:
- Neuroimaging, such as a brain MRI or CT scan.
- A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for signs of infection in the brain or spinal cord.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) to look for seizures or specific patterns of electrical activity in the brain.
Is encephalopathy swelling of the brain?
The words sound similar, but they are different conditions. In encephalitis, the brain itself is swollen or inflamed. Encephalopathy, on the other hand, refers to the mental state that can happen because of several types of health problems. But encephalitis can cause encephalopathy.
How does influenza affect the nervous system?
One of the most common extrarespiratory complications of influenza virus infection is central nervous system (CNS) disease (1, 2). Clinically, CNS disease can range from mild febrile seizures to severe or even fatal meningoencephalitis (2, 3).
What causes acute encephalopathy?
The causes of encephalopathy are numerous and varied; they include infections, anoxia, metabolic problems, toxins, drugs, physiologic changes, trauma, and other causes. Encephalopathy is a general term that refers to brain disease, damage, or malfunction. The major symptom of encephalopathy is an altered mental state.
How does encephalopathy affect the brain?
The hallmark of encephalopathy is an altered mental state. Depending on the type and severity of encephalopathy, common neurological symptoms are progressive loss of memory and cognitive ability, subtle personality changes, inability to concentrate, lethargy, and progressive loss of consciousness.
What is difference between encephalopathy and encephalitis?
It’s easy to confuse encephalopathy with encephalitis. The words sound similar, but they are different conditions. In encephalitis, the brain itself is swollen or inflamed. Encephalopathy, on the other hand, refers to the mental state that can happen because of several types of health problems.
What is the prognosis for encephalitis?
The prognosis for people with encephalitis or meningitis varies. In most cases, people with very mild encephalitis or meningitis can make a full recovery, although the process may be slow. Individuals who experience mild symptoms may recover in 2-4 weeks.
What is the difference between encephalopathy and encephalitis?
How can you tell the difference between encephalitis and encephalopathy?
What’s the difference between encephalitis and encephalomyelitis?
Inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, is called meningitis; inflammation of the brain itself is called encephalitis. Myelitis refers to inflammation of the spinal cord. When both the brain and the spinal cord are involved, the condition is called encephalomyelitis.
Does influenza infect neurons?
Influenza virus enters CNS and infects and activates the glial cells, which may subsequently induce neuron injury by causing neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
Does influenza cause brain fog?
Inflammatory conditions such as colds, flu²³ and COVID-19²⁴ can also cause symptoms of brain fog.