Treatment
With the exception of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster encephalitis, the viral forms of encephalitis are not treatable. The primary objective is to diagnose the patient as soon as possible so they receive the right medicines to treat the symptoms. It is very important to lower fever and ease the pressure caused by swelling of the brain.
Patients with very severe encephalitis are at risk for body-wide (systemic) complications including shock, low oxygen, low blood pressure, and low sodium levels. Any potentially life-threatening complication should be addressed immediately with the appropriate treatments.
Treating Probable Causes of Encephalitis
Text Continues Below
Since it is difficult to determine the cause of encephalitis and rapid treatment is essential, it is common to give the patient medication for the symptoms that respond to therapy without waiting to determine the cause of the illness.
- Some experts advise immediately administering intravenous acyclovir, the standard treatment for herpes simplex encephalitis, to all patients whose symptoms indicate encephalitis.
- Corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, may also be administered immediately.
- Antibiotics, which attack bacteria but not viruses, are used in case the cause of the symptoms is bacterial meningitis.
Additional Treatments
All encephalitis treatments are aimed at reducing symptoms.
- Seizures may be prevented using fosphenytoin (Cerebyx).
- Seizures may be treated with intravenous lorazepam (Ativan).
- Sedatives may be prescribed for irritability or restlessness.
- Simple pain relievers may be used for fever and headache.
- In patients who are otherwise stable, the only other treatment measures are to keep the head elevated and monitor the patient's status.
Treatments for Herpes Virus Encephalitis
.gif)
