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Influenza encephalitis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Symptoms of the influenza encephalitis
The defeat of the nervous system develops in all cases of influenza and is manifested by headache, pain in the movements of eyeballs, muscle pain, adynamia, drowsiness, or insomnia. All these symptoms are classified as general infectious and common cerebral with normal influenza. However, in some cases, there are lesions of the nervous system in the form of influenza encephalitis, which develops more often at the end of the disease, even 1-2 weeks after it. At the same time, the patient's health deteriorates again, body temperature rises, general cerebral symptoms (headache, vomiting, dizziness), mild meningeal symptoms occur. Against this background, there are indistinctly expressed signs of focal brain damage. Perhaps the defeat of the peripheral nervous system in the form of neuralgia of trigeminal and large occipital nerves, lumbosacral and cervical radiculitis, sympathetic nodes.
In the acute period of the flu, it is possible to develop severe damage to the nervous system in the form of hemorrhagic influenza encephalitis. The disease begins apoplectically: with a high rise in body temperature, chills, impaired consciousness up to the coma. Epileptiform seizures often occur. Focal symptoms are distinguished by significant polymorphism. In the cerebrospinal fluid, traces of blood are found. The course of this form of influenza encephalitis is difficult. Often there is a lethal outcome. After recovery, neurological disorders are usually evident.
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Diagnostics of the influenza encephalitis
In the cerebrospinal fluid there is a slight pleocytosis and a moderate increase in the protein content; liquor pressure is increased. In the blood determine leukocytosis or leukopenia.
