How Bihar Struggled With Encephalitis

India is primarily known for its poverty and its rapid economic growth. Last year alone, GDP growth reached 7.5%, making India the fastest growing economy globally. It’s less known about rural neglect. Bihar has faced difficulty dealing with Encephalitis. Encephalitis is a disease caused by mosquitoes and caused by drinking water from stagnant water sources or dirty wells, contracted through breathing infected air from insects.

Encephalitis is a brain fever that can affect all age groups, from children to adults. It is considered one of the most dangerous neuro-infectious diseases. In some patients, it can be fatal in a short time if not diagnosed and treated in time.

What Is Encephalitis?

Encephalitis is a condition that causes a fever and inflammation of the brain. It is not to be confused with meningitis, which is also found in many parts of the world. Encephalitis is an acute brain inflammation classified into viral Encephalitis and non-viral Encephalitis. Inflammation of the brain can have several causes. The brain fever is often not very high, but the mental status in affected children may deteriorate very quickly (within hours). 

The cause of Encephalitis is usually infection with a virus or bacteria. Still, it may also be caused by a fungus or another parasitic agent such as protozoa (Toxoplasma gondii) and spirochetes (Borrelia burgdorferi). In most cases, specific treatment is not required because the body can usually heal itself; however, patients who progress to seizures and muscle weakness may need medication to help control their symptoms. Encephalitis is known to occur in hot climates as well. Encephalitis is also called sleeping sickness. People have been suffering from this ailment for a very long time.

Spread Of Encephalitis

Viral Encephalitis and bacterial Encephalitis can spread through mosquito bites, oral secretions or faeces from infected animals and people, through contact with an insect bite, contaminated food, or water for drinking and swimming. 

Encephalitis can be transmitted from person-to-person, or animal to person. While the most commonly affected age group for this infection is children, it affects the adult population in many developing countries. This disease spreads very fast in warm places such as Bihar, India, where many people die of Encephalitis.

It sometimes results from another illness, such as herpes simplex. It may also be caused by an autoimmune response against brain tissue (autoimmune Encephalitis). It is a dangerous condition that primarily afflicts the young, old and immunocompromised. Most commonly, people get Encephalitis because infected insects or ticks bite them through contact with the infectious person.

Transmission Of Viral Encephalitis Through Several Viruses:- 

1. Rubella, 
2. Herpes (both HSV1 and HSV2), 
3. Flu, 
4. Measles, 
5. Mumps, 
6. HIV/AIDS, 
7. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), 
8. Japanese Encephalitis, 
9. West Nile Virus, 
10. Tick-Borne (Lyme Disease), 
11. Zika Virus and 
12. Rift Valley Fever. 

Symptoms Of Encephalitis:- 

• The main symptom of Encephalitis is a fever.
• headache and 
• A stiff neck can occur as early as one day after exposure to the virus. 
• A person may feel tired and weak,
• lose appetite, 
• And experience muscle pain. 
• Younger children may also be more irritable than usual. 
• Symptoms can range from mild to severe. 
• In rare cases, it can be fatal. Depending on the location of the infected brain, further symptoms may occur, such as paralysis or mental confusion.

Bacterial Encephalitis:-

Bacterial Encephalitis is a disease caused by an infection of the brain. It affects various people every year and causes non-repairable damage or death. It is always confused with Malaria and dengue. Various bacteria can cause fatal kinds of infections. The bacteria usually cause Encephalitis are as follows:-  

• Enterococcus faecalis  
• E. coli 
• Haemophilus influenzae (type B) 
• Listeria monocytogenes  
• Neisseria meningitidis 
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The Major Concern For Encephalitis In Bihar:- 

Encephalitis in children in Bihar is very common in the state. Indians cannot deny the fact that it’s the most lethal illness. It is caused due to viral and bacterial infections. The Bihar government has taken many steps to prevent the disease by giving vaccinations. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is trying its best and initiating many measures to eradicate these brain diseases.

There are many strains of Encephalitis. Some of these are viruses and cannot be treated. These are known as non-vaccine viruses. Some of which can be treated with antiviral drugs and preventive methods.

Conclusion:- 

Encephalitis, known as viral Encephalitis and brain fever, is a virulent and deadly disease caused by viruses passing through nerve fibres in the human body. It is crucial to diagnose and treat Encephalitis because neurologic and cognitive deficits may be severe and irreversible. Viral Encephalitis has become a cause of concern in Bihar. Experts say there is an urgent need to tackle the lack of awareness concerning brain fever, which is confused with Dengue and Malaria. Encephalitis Acute Encephalitis Syndrome is due to a viral infection of the brain. Various factors regarding Encephalitis have been discussed in this article, such as symptoms, transmission, etc.