Viral Encephalitis | Dr Anutosh Chakraborty|Expert Homeopathy

What is Viral Encephalitis?

It is an inflammation in the brain due to virus and can lead to damage to the brain.

Etiology or causation of viral encephalitis

Virus of smallpox, chicken pox, measles, mumps etc., can enter through blood, lymphatics, or directly into the body. Others cause are

• SLOW VIRUS
• SSPE
• KURU
• PML
• AIDS
• CSD

Pathology of acute viral disease

The lesions are wide spread throughout the cortex, white matter, basal ganglia and brain stem. The virus destroys the infected nerve cells, which are surrounded by inflammatory cells, some packed in the perivascular space and with microglial proliferations.

Symptoms viral encephalitis

• Onset is usually abrupt
• Headache
• Fever 39 - 40℃
• Drowsiness and confusion
• Focal neurological signs are usually absent
• Fits may occur
• Drowsiness may lead to coma
• Encephalitis lethargica
• Disturbances of ocular movements
• Failure of convergence
• Alteration of the sleep rhythm
• Increased salivation
• Behavioral disturbances
• First described in World War I and the features were those of thalamic and midbrain involvement. Characterized by profound somnolence and opthalmoplegia. A high proportion of survivors may develop parkinsonism months or years later.
• Tremors and stiffness or muscles.

Signs

• Pyrosis, nystagmus, diplopia etc.
• Bradycardia
• Neck rigidity
• Jerks: Brisk
• Planter
• Extensor

Infection and immune response

Once virus are able to enter the bloodstream, they can replicate and spread to other parts of the body, including the spinal cord and brain (central nervous system). Access to the brain is not blood or emotions. After breaking the blood-brain barrier, germs enter the brain cells. This disrupts, damages, and eventually breaks down the infected brain cells. Some viruses like different parts of the brain. For example, the herpes simplex virus tends to identify temporary lobes near each ear. Immune cells rush to the brain and begin to attack the virus. This causes inflammation of the brain (cerebral edema). Both the infection and the body's efforts to fight the infection are responsible for the symptoms of viral encephalitis.

Investigations

Fundoscopic Examination:

Congestion of disc

Papilledema

CSF Examination:

Clear and under increased pressure

Increased lymphocytes (50-200/cu mm)

Proteins slightly raised

Sugar normal

CT and MRI may reveal intracranial mass lesion or localized foci of infection about or within the brain:

EEG may be of diagnostic help, a pattern of diffuse low wave activity with disruption of normal rhythms, punctuated at times with periodic high amplitude, bursts and spike and wave complexes.

Complications

Coma

Convulsions

Paralysis

Persistent neurological defects

Treatment

Rest in bed

Care of comatose / confused patient

Homeopathic Medicines for viral encephalitis

Angustura vera: Drawing pain in neck and spine. Twitching and herding along the back, stiffness and tension of muscles, great difficulty in walking, paralysis, pain in muscles, great desire for coffee.

Physostigma: Spinal irritation, loss of mobility. Rigidity of muscles, paralysis, loss of sensibility of pain. Muscular weakness followed by complete paralysis, numbness in paralysis parts. Cramps in limbs. Burning or tingling. Paresis of accommodation of eye muscles. Cannot bear to raise eye-lids, contraction of pupils.

Picric acid: Degeneration of spinal cord with paralysis, occipital headache, better by tight bandaging, great weakness of extremities, heavy feeling all over body especially limbs worse exertion. Acute ascending paralysis. Myelitis, spasm and prostration.

Phosphorus: Fatigue of eyes and head. Paresis of extrinsic muscles, Diplopia. Ascending sensory and motor paralysis. Weakness and trembling. Can scarcely hold anything with his hands.