Influenza encephalitis

Influenza encephalitis causes influenza viruses A1, A2, A3, B. Occurs as a complication of the flu. Acute non-inflammatory flu-like encephalopathy is characterized by the development of seizures and coma on the same or next day after the onset of flu symptoms.

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Pathogenesis

Pathogenetic mechanisms for influenza infection are neurotoxicosis and discirculatory phenomena in the brain.

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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.

Forecast

Influenza encephalitis lasts from a few days to a month and ends with a complete recovery.

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