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Measles encephalitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
[ Symptoms of measles encephalitis
Measles encephalitis develops acutely, usually on the 3rd-5th day after the appearance of the rash. Body temperature by the onset of encephalitis may already be normal, and often a new rise to a high level is noted. Consciousness is confused. In severe cases, severe disorders of consciousness, psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, comatose state, and sometimes generalized seizures occur. Meningeal symptoms, damage to the II, III, and VII pairs of cranial nerves, paresis of the limbs, coordination disorders, hyperkinesis, conductive sensitivity disorders, and dysfunction of the pelvic organs are detected. The cerebrospinal fluid often has an increased protein content, pleocytosis, and its pressure is elevated.
The course is severe. Mortality reaches 25%. The severity of encephalitis does not depend on the course of measles.
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