Encephalitis Lethargica – Treatment of Encephalitis Lethargica

Encephalitis Lethargica is a state of prolonged unconsciousness. It is the inflammation of brain that makes the affected person tired. An auto-immune disease where the nervous system is attacked in response to a throat infection. The treatment for Encephalitis Lethargica is discussed below.

Encephalitis Treatment

Although there is no cure for this disease, it can be treated to a little extent for supporting the affected people through their illness.

Early Stage Treatment

The person is kept in intensive care unit. This is to provide well breathing, proper feeding and protection from other infections. The treatment is important when the patient in a state of coma. Doctors prescribe steroid drugs inorder to reduce the inflammation of brain.

Later Stage Treatment

The patient starts to recover at this stage. Nutritional support, physiotherapy and speech therapy are provided to speed up the recovery. As the behavioural changes are noticed in the patient, psychological and emotional support are given.

If the disease is not treated in the early stages, the symptoms would lead to brain damage and may turn the affected person mentally and physically retarded.

Prognosis of Encephalitis Lethargica

If treated early, the person can be cured from Encephalitis Lethargica. If not, it turns fatal. Recovery from neurological, a later stage is difficult and may result in varied levels of brain disorders.This disease can change the lifestyle of a person as the brain is affected. The patient may live a deteriorated life, if Parkinson’s disease is acquired. Most of the cases have been studied by researchers where Encephalitis Lethargica resulted in complete loss of mental abilities.