What are the symptoms of mild encephalitis
Mild encephalitis usually presents with non-specific symptoms, including headache, fever, nausea, fatigue and a certain degree of consciousness disturbance. Although these symptoms are not severe, patients should be highly vigilant and seek medical treatment promptly to prevent the condition from worsening.
1. Headache and fever
Patients with mild encephalitis often feel persistent headaches, ranging from mild to moderate, mostly located on the forehead, top or sides of the head. At the same time, most patients will develop low-grade fever.
2. Digestive system and systemic symptoms
Nausea and vomiting are common digestive system symptoms, which may be related to increased intracranial pressure. In addition, patients may also feel general fatigue and loss of appetite. This is due to the huge amount of energy consumed by the body fighting against pathogens.
3. Nervous system symptoms
Some patients will experience neck stiffness, especially difficulty when lowering their heads, which is a typical manifestation of meningitis. At the same time, neurological symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and slow reaction times are also common.
4. Disorder of consciousness
Mild encephalitis may lead to temporary confusion or mild cognitive dysfunction, manifested by drowsiness and apathy.
Depending on the pathogen of infection, there may be other accompanying symptoms. For example, mumps encephalitis may be accompanied by swelling of the parotid gland, and herpes virus encephalitis may cause skin herpes.
Mild encephalitis is mainly treated with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and ganciclovir, and antibiotics such as penicillin and ceftriaxone. Symptomatic treatment includes the use of antipyretics and analgesics, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. Patients should maintain adequate rest and avoid strenuous exercise to reduce symptoms and promote recovery. If symptoms continue to worsen, seek medical attention immediately to avoid delaying the condition.