Overview
This is a very serious disease which takes place in people with compromised immune systems. Its caused due to the inflammation of the brain and the spinal chord. This is a very rare disease that is quite fatal.Causes
This disease is caused by a parasite called acanthamoeba. Its a free living microorganism that is found almost anywhere. Many people might get exposed to this species of the phylum protista but there are very few chances of the person being infected by this microbe. Our immune system doesn't allow it to cause infection but sometimes the parasite escapes and causes collateral damage to our brain. Massive inflammation of our
brain takes place and the chances of survival go as down as 2 percent.
Other sorts of encephalitis
Encephalitis is usually caused by a viral infection . Like, the herpes simplex virus (causes cold sores and genetal herpes) mumps virus, chickenpox virus. In countries like U.K infection due to herpes simplex virus is very common. Elsewhere in the world agents carry these viruses. For eg. mosquitoes which carry Japanese B encephalitis virus.; ticks which carry European tick borne virus etc.
Viruses such as measles, mumps viruses don't necessarily cause encephalitis but when these enter our bloodstream, they can reach the brain and may lead to some damage.
Symptoms
The symptoms of GAE are usually drowsiness, mental confusion lack of concentration and other neurological problems.
Treatment with an example
Antiviral drugs can be used for the treatment of GAE. Lets have a look at this with an example
One of the worst cases of GAE were seen in a young boy in the U.S. He loved playing hockey and wanted to get selected for nationals. He worked hard day and night but unfortunately he didn't get selected. The sole reason being his lack of concentration. Days passed by and his condition got worse. His parents took him to the nearby hospital and to there dismay there child was suffering from GAE. The doctors there had never seen such a serious case of encephalitis in their career. It got worse with time and they had to pit him under coma to stop the inflammation. Months passed by but there were no results.
Doctors use other methods
In order to wake the boy from coma, the doctors had to make the use of steroids. Eventually the boy got cured and was healthy again.
Note:The use of steroid is a very risky business, you may or may not survive
