Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness
- Seizures
- Altered consciousness or coma
- Confusion or disorientation
- Vomiting
- Muscle weakness or paralysis.
Diagnosis
- Blood tests are used to detect the dengue virus or reactive IgM dengue antibodies.
- A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is used to analyse the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Brain imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI scans detect inflammation or brain lesions.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for dengue encephalitis.
- Supportive care is provided to manage symptoms and complications.
- Medications are prescribed to control fever, seizures, and brain swelling.
- In severe cases, respiratory support (oxygen or mechanical ventilation) may be required.
Outcomes
The prognosis of dengue encephalitis varies depending on severity and time to diagnosis and treatment.
Some patients may recover completely, while others may experience long-term neurological complications or even death.
Potential long-term effects include cognitive impairment, movement disorders or permanent brain damage.
Prevention
Effective mosquito control measures are important, such as eliminating breeding sites and using insect repellents. Moreover, it is advised to avoid areas with high dengue transmission.
As of 2023, there are two commercially available dengue vaccines. One of these, Dengvaxia, is only recommended in those who have previously had dengue fever due to a phenomenon known as antibody-dependent enhancement. It is important to be careful as it may increase the risk of severe dengue in those who have not been previously infected.
By Prav Prathapan, Encephalitis International and reviewed by Dr Angela Philips, Department of Internal Medicine, Sri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, India
FS073V1 Dengue encephalitis
Date created: May 2024 / Last updated: July 2024 / Review date: July 2027
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