Introduction Encephalitis is the inflammation of brain tissue. The isolated infection of the brain, without involvement of the meninges, is most often caused by viruses. The course is usually mild. However, the disease can also have severe to fatal consequences. More common is the inflammation of the meninges, which is called meningitis. In the case … Encephalitis
Diagnostics The main objective of diagnostics should always be to determine the type of pathogen, since the various therapies sometimes differ fundamentally. Since encephalitis caused by viruses is often milder, the diagnosis can be made more difficult. If symptoms are present, a throat swab as well as a stool and blood sample should be taken … Diagnostics | Encephalitis
Symptoms The symptoms of encephalitis can be milder or more severe, depending on the pathogen, and can thus have a strong influence on the therapy and course of the disease. In contrast to meningitis, encephalitis can generally be expected to have a milder course if the symptoms are recognized and treated quickly. In the beginning, … Symptoms | Encephalitis
Therapy Drug therapy depends strongly on the type of pathogen. In the case of bacterial (meningo-) encephalitis, the genus must first be determined by laboratory diagnosis, after which the appropriate antibiotic can be selected. A combination of different active ingredients increases the effectiveness of the treatment, whereby attention must be paid to possible allergies (e.g. … Therapy | Encephalitis
Prophylaxis As with all pathogens, hygiene precautions are generally considered the most effective prophylaxis against infections. Washing hands and disinfection after using public toilets or similar can kill most of the bacteria and viruses ingested. Likewise, various diseases transmitted during sexual intercourse, such as infections with HIV or Treponema pallidum, can be prevented by contraception … Prophylaxis | Encephalitis
Risks For all age groups, vaccination should only be carried out when the patient is in complete health, otherwise there is a risk of the disease worsening. In brain-damaged patients or patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, the vaccination must be carefully weighed up. Examples of this are condition after transplantation, HIV infection and chemotherapy. In individual … Risks | TBE vaccination
What happens after the vaccination? Refreshment depends on whether a fast or slow basic immunization was performed. While in the case of the fast (3-week) basic immunization, the vaccination protection lapses after 12-18 months, in the case of the slow (12-month) immunization it lasts for up to 3 years. The frequency of the booster also … What happens after the vaccination? | TBE vaccination
Costs If you decide to have an TBE vaccination, it depends on your health insurance company and your place of residence whether the costs for the vaccination will be covered. Nearly all health insurance companies pay for the vaccination if the place of residence is in a designated TBE risk area. In addition, some health … Costs | TBE vaccination
Tick vaccination Introduction As spring draws to a close and temperatures slowly start to rise again, the annual warnings in magazines and on television arrive just in time with the first rays of sunshine: “Caution, TBE. “In many places you can read at the same time that it is best to have an TBE vaccination … TBE vaccination
Definition A brain abscess is an encapsulated inflammation in the brain. The capsule consists of newly formed tissue (granulation tissue), which is naturally formed during the defence against pathogens and the healing process. In the capsule, the existing cells are destroyed and pus is formed. Due to the inflammatory process, fluid is stored in the … Brain abscess
Examination with CTMRT A brain abscess can be easily distinguished from other diseases of the brain in CT (computed tomography) or MRT (magnetic resonance imaging). The imaging of the capsule is very impressive and can often be identified perfectly as a brain abscess. In the CT image, which is usually performed with a contrast medium, … Examination with CTMRT | Brain abscess
Consequential damages Since a brain abscess is a very invasive disease of the brain, 5-10% of patients die despite the best possible treatment. In particular, the increase in pressure in the skull can lead to life-threatening constrictions of the midbrain or the brain stem – both are parts of the brain that control vital processes. … Consequential damages | Brain abscess
