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Postvaccinal encephalitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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[ Symptoms of post-vaccination encephalitis
The first symptoms of post-vaccination encephalitis usually appear on the 7-12th day after vaccination, sometimes earlier. Post-vaccination encephalitis more often occurs in primarily vaccinated children (especially with late vaccination), less often - with revaccinations. The disease develops acutely, with an increase in body temperature to 39-40 ° C. Headache, vomiting, often loss of consciousness, generalized convulsions occur. Sometimes meningeal symptoms are detected. Central paralysis (mono-, hemi- or paraplegia) develops, peripheral paresis occurs less often. Damage to the extrapyramidal system is accompanied by the appearance of hyperkinesis, impaired coordination of movements. Increased pressure, slight lymphocytic cytosis (or normal content of cellular elements), a slight increase in the content of protein and glucose are determined in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Currently, with the introduction of new vaccines, this type of complication is practically never encountered.
The course is usually favorable, in most cases there is a complete recovery. Monophasic, multiphasic, recurrent variants of the course are distinguished. Sometimes paresis may persist for some time, but it gradually regresses. A feature of the course of encephalitis with anti-rabies vaccinations is the possibility of manifestation in the form of acute encephalomyelopolyradiculoneuritis, sometimes very rapidly progressing (like ascending Landry paralysis) and capable of leading to a fatal outcome due to the occurrence of bulbar disorders.
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Treatment of post-vaccination encephalitis
Treatment includes the use of non-specific antiviral drugs, interferons, pathogenetic agents such as vascular, neurometabolites, dehydration drugs, and symptomatic agents aimed at relieving fever and convulsive syndrome.