Question 1

what is the definition or description of: encephalitis lethargica?

Accepted Answer

Encephalitis: Encephalitis lethargica  ( sleeping sickness or sleepy sickness) symptoms may include:   sore throat, high fever, headache, double vision, lethargy, coma. It attacks the brain and some are   left speechless &amp; motionless.

Question 2

what is the treatment for encephalitis lethargica?

Accepted Answer

Unknown : The disease itself existed before the modern therapeutic era and is only rarely described today. The late effects of this disease was post-encephalitic parkinson's which is treated with l-dopa.

Question 3

is the flu and encephalitis lethargica connected?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Also known as von economo's disease or sleeping sickness it first arose following the influenza pandemic of 1918 and nothing like was described before 1914.  No viral agent was ever isolated, but the clinical picture was quite compatible with a viral illness.  Many patients had profound somnolence and ophthalmoplegia.  Mortality was high (20+%), and many survivors had neurological sequellae.

Question 4

what bacteria can cause encephalitis?

Accepted Answer

Viruses: are usually the cause of encephalitis. Most cases are due to the herpes virus although rabies, mumps, measles and rubella make up a second group. Occasionally we see outbreaks of equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and others. Bacterial infection is less likely to cause encephalitis. Lyme's disease, Syphilis and TB top the list of bacterial agents. Fungus and chemicals can also be causitive

Question 5

i have cancer, can this cause encephalitis?

Accepted Answer

No: Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain and would not normally be associated with cancer. However if cancer spreads the brain, one might develop encephalopathy which can present with confusion, worsening memory, personality changes, etc.

Question 6

can japanese encephalitis cause parasthesia?

Accepted Answer

Jap. Encephalitis : In general, encephalitis can cause paresthesia. Japanese encephalitis can be a serious illness. Hope everything is well at your end.

Question 7

what causes spongioform encephalitis?

Accepted Answer

Prions: Spongiform encephalitis is the name for creutzfeldt–jakob disease, and mad cow disease.  These are caused by misfolded proteins, prions,  that act as infectious agents.

Question 8

what type of epilepsy can be caused by encephalitis?

Accepted Answer

Seizures: Seizures can occur in encephalitis.  Depending on the severity of the disease, they can be self-limited and resolve completely, needing no medications, or the patient may have intractable seizures needing prolonged treatment and having an increased risk of death.

Question 9

can encephalitis cause bizarre behavior and memory loss encephalitis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes depending upon which parts of the brain are affected.

Question 10

can both viruses and bacteria cause encephalitis?

Accepted Answer

Sure: Yes both viruses (herpes and west nile) and bacteria ( bacterial sepsis with microabscess) but clearly more associated with viral causes.

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Cause of encephalitis lethargica

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: encephalitis lethargica?

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What is the treatment for encephalitis lethargica?

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Is the flu and encephalitis lethargica connected?

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What bacteria can cause encephalitis?

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I have cancer, can this cause encephalitis?

A member asked:

Can japanese encephalitis cause parasthesia?

A member asked:

What causes spongioform encephalitis?

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What type of epilepsy can be caused by encephalitis?

A member asked:

Can encephalitis cause bizarre behavior and memory loss encephalitis?

A member asked:

Can both viruses and bacteria cause encephalitis?

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