Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis:
Despite being a rare disease globally, Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) remains a serious health concern in Uttar Pradesh due to low measles vaccination coverage.
- It is a progressive and usually fatal brain disorder related to measles (rubeola) infection.
- SSPE tends to occur several years after a person has measles, even though the person seems to have fully recovered from the illness.
- Normally, the measles virus does not cause brain damage. However, an abnormal immune response to measles or, possibly, certain variant forms of the virus may cause severe illness and even death.
- This response leads to brain inflammation (swelling and irritation) that may last for years.
- SSPE has been reported in all parts of the world, but in western countries it is a rare disease.
- Males are more often affected than females. The disease generally occurs in children and adolescents.
- The first symptoms of SSPE may be poor performance in schoolwork, forgetfulness, temper outbursts, distractibility, sleeplessness, and hallucinations.
- Sudden muscular jerks of the arms, head, or body may occur.
- Eventually, seizures may occur, together with abnormal uncontrollable muscle movement Intellect and speech continue to deteriorate.
- Later, the muscles become increasingly rigid, and swallowing may become difficult.
- The swallowing difficulty sometimes causes people to choke on their saliva, resulting in pneumonia. People may become blind.
- In the final phases, the body temperature may rise, and the blood pressure and pulse become abnormal.
- Treatment:
- High mortality rates are associated with SSPE, and there is no cure for SSPE.
- Treatment is generally aimed at regulating the symptoms.
- Certain antiviral medicines and medicines that boost the immune system may be tried to slow the progression of the disease.
