Encephalitis
什么是Encephalitis？
Encephalitis is a term used to describe an acute inflammation of the brain. A large number of infectious germs can cause encephalitis. Common viruses that cause encephalitis include rabies, herpes, polio, measles, West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and other groups of viruses, such as enteroviruses that are found in the intestinal tract. Many bacteria and parasites, such as malaria, also can cause encephalitis.
如何获得Encephalitis？
A variety of insects (especially mosquitoes and ticks) can transmit some of the germs that cause encephalitis. Other germs, such as rabies, are spread by animal bites that result in encephalitis. Some infectious agents that cause encephalitis can be spread by contaminated food or water.
易感性和抗性
Generally, all people are susceptible, but vaccination against some of the viruses creates effective immunity against those germs.
症状是什么？
Encephalitis is usually characterised by a sudden fever, headache, confusion, and sometimes seizures. Younger children or infants usually become irritable with a fever and poor appetite. Drowsiness and confusion are often present. A stiff neck indicates that the membrane covering the brain is inflamed (meningitis).
预防措施
脑炎的预防取决于引起感染的细菌。例如，防止蚊虫叮咬对于预防大量病毒感染（例如日本脑炎，西尼罗河病毒等）非常有效。针对各种病毒感染（例如脊髓灰质炎，麻疹等）的疫苗接种将预防脑炎。一些药物可能有助于预防细菌和寄生虫（例如疟疾）引起的脑炎。避免污染的食物和水，以防止由肠（肠）病毒引起的脑炎。
处理
Treatment depends on the type of germ causing the infection and usually consists of relieving the symptoms. For encephalitis caused by viruses, there are very few drugs that are effective against a limited number of viruses. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are necessary. Steroids (e.g. methylprednisolone) are often used to reduce brain swelling and inflammation. Sedatives may be needed for irritability or restlessness.
药物
疫苗接种
它常见于哪里？
这种疾病，脑炎，遍布世界各地。
