Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 and wrist; weakness in legs, which spreads to the upper body; difficulty in walking and climbing stairs; difficulty with movements; severe cramp-like pain that increases during night time; reduced ability to control bladder and bowel function; tachycardia; hypotension or hypertension; and difficulty in breathing. Encephalitis Encephalitis is a kind of inflammation in the brain caused by a viral infection. In extreme but rare cases, encephalitis becomes life-threatening. Encephalitis can be categorized in two types: primary encephalitis and secondary encephalitis. Primary encephalitis is caused by a direct infection of a virus or other infectious agents, while secondary encephalitis is caused when the immune system gets compromised and attacks the healthy body cells instead of infected cells. Causes of this infection include herpes simplex virus; other herpes viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, enterovirus (polio virus and coxsackievirus), mosquito borne viruses (arbovirus and arthropod borne viruses), tick-borne viruses (Powassan virus), rabies virus, and childhood infections like rubeola and rubella. Mild signs and symptoms of encephalitis include headache, fever, pain in muscles and joints, fatigue, or weakness. In contrast, the serious signs of this disorder include a state of confusion and agitation, seizures, paralysis in the face, weakness in muscles, double vision, impaired speech and hearing, unconsciousness, and perception of foul smell. Reye’s Syndrome Reye's syndrome is a serious, life-threatening condition that is characterized by swelling in the brain and liver. This syndrome mostly affects children and teenagers recovering from flu or chickenpox. Reye's syndrome is triggered by the intake of aspirin to treat viral illness or infection. Other causes include fatty acid oxidation disorders and exposure to certain toxins like insecticides, herbicides, and paint thinner. Symptoms of Reye's syndrome affecting infants under two years of age include diarrhea and rapid breathing. Signs of the disorder among older children and teenagers include persistent vomiting and unusual sleepiness. More serious signs are irritation, state of confusion, weakness and paralysis, seizures, and reduced consciousness. Polio Polio is an infectious disease that is caused by a contagious virus leading to paralysis and even death. Incidences for polio have decreased due to the widespread availability of vaccination for polio. The polio causing virus lives inside the human body and transmits in the environment by way of the feces of a person who is infected. Transmission happens through the fecal oral route in areas that are not properly sanitized. Moreover, it can be transmitted through contaminated water and food and can even be spread by direct contact with an already infected person. The persons who are affected with polio virus release this virus in their feces for many weeks. Achieve Page 96