An Overview of Encephalitis Lethargica
- High fever
- Headache
- Double vision
- Delayed physical and mental response
- Lethargy.
In acute cases, patients may enter a coma.
Patients with encephalitis lethargica may also experience:
- Abnormal eye movements
- Upper body weakness
- Muscular pains
- Tremors
- Neck rigidity
- Behavioral changes (including psychosis).
What Causes Encephalitis Lethargica?
Epidemic of Encephalitis Lethargica
Between 1917 and 1928, an epidemic of encephalitis lethargica spread throughout the world, but no recurrence of the epidemic has since been reported.
Postencephalitic Parkinson's disease may develop after a bout of encephalitis lethargica -- sometimes as long as a year after the illness.
Treatment for Encephalitis Lethargica
Treatment for encephalitis lethargica is based on the symptoms experienced by a patient. Levodopa and other antiparkinson drugs often produce dramatic responses in encephalitis lethargica patients.