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Read the text and make its summary. Encephalitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the brain






Encephalitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the brain. Encephalitis is usually caused by a virus, but other things, including bacteria, may cause it as well. Although encephalitis sounds scary, it’s rarely serious.

What is encephalitis? Encephalitis is typically caused by three different groups of viruses. The herpes viruses fall into one group. They include chickenpox, EBV (Epstein-Barr virus – the virus that causes mono), and herpes simplex (the virus that causes cold sores). The second group is viruses that are transmitted by insects. Viruses like West Nile virus, which is transmitted through a mosquito bite, and Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which are transmitted thorough tick bites, can also cause encephalitis. The third group of viruses is made up of common childhood viral infections. These include measles, mumps, and German measles. Because lots of countries immunize against these diseases, it’s rarer today that a person will develop encephalitis as a result of an illness like measles or mumps.

Some cases of encephalitis are mild and symptoms only last for a short time. However, it is possible to develop a severe case of encephalitis that can be serious and possibly even life threatening. When a person has encephalitis, his or her brain becomes inflamed – inflammation means swelling and redness.

Is it contagious? Many different viruses can lead to encephalitis. So how contagious the infection is depends on which virus caused it. Viruses like West Nile are only transmitted through the bite of infected insects; it’s not possible to catch them from other people. But viruses like EBV are passed from person to person.

Even if a person catches a virus that can cause encephalitis that does not mean that person will automatically develop the condition. In fact, very few people actually develop encephalitis.

What are the signs and symptoms? Encephalitis may cause fever, headache, poor appetite, loss of energy, or just a general sick feeling. In more severe cases, other symptoms may occur, including:

· high fever

· severe headache

· sensitivity to light (called photophobia, which means light hurts your eyes)

· nausea and vomiting

· stiff neck

· confusion

· sleepiness, difficulty waking, or unconsciousness

· convulsions (seizures)

When encephalitis happens after a common illness like chickenpox, the signs and symptoms of that illness come before any inflammation in the brain. But encephalitis can also appear without warning. If you have symptoms of encephalitis, get in touch with your doctor right away.

How is it diagnosed and treated? To diagnose encephalitis, the doctor may take blood samples and order a spinal tap to remove some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for testing. CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. A spinal tap (also called a lumbar puncture) is a procedure that involves inserting a very thin needle into the lower back to extract a small amount of CSF. The blood and CSF will then be sent to a laboratory to check for viruses or bacteria. A special brain scan (an MRI or a CT scan) may also be ordered to look for inflammation. A doctor may also order an electroencephalogram (EEG). This test records your brain waves and can reveal whether there are abnormalities that are consistent with an encephalitis infection.

Treatment for encephalitis depends on the virus that caused it. People with mild cases of encephalitis can recover at home as long as they’re watched carefully by a parent or other adult in the household. Most cases of encephalitis just run their course and the person gets better on his or her own.

Some viruses that cause encephalitis can be treated with medication. For example, acyclovir, an antiviral drug, can help treat encephalitis caused by the herpes simplex virus. In addition, steroid medications may be used to reduce swelling in the brain (these aren’t the same as the dangerous performance-enhancing steroids that some athletes use). Because antibiotics are not effective against viruses, they’re not used to treat viral encephalitis.

Severe cases of encephalitis require a hospital stay so the patient can be carefully monitored and medical treatment is close at hand if it’s needed. For people who have had severe encephalitis that has affected some of the brain’s functions, doctors may recommend physical therapy or speech therapy to help with recovery.

How long does it last? The worst symptoms of encephalitis generally last up to 1 week, but full recovery may take weeks or longer. Because encephalitis affects the brain, people with severe cases can sometimes develop problems like seizures, difficulties with muscle coordination, and learning disabilities.

How to prevent encephalitis. The best way to prevent encephalitis is to avoid getting the viruses that can cause it. Regular hand washing will help limit the spread of some of these germs. Staying as healthy as possible by eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of rest can help keep your immune system in shape. Immunizations are also an important way to protect people from diseases like chickenpox and measles.

In areas where viruses are transmitted by insect bites, protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and pants and applying an insect repellent. Also, try to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.


TEXT 24. HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE)


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