Learn More
See, Play and Learn
- No links available
Research
Resources
For You
Summary
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. Usually the cause is a viral infection, but bacteria can also cause it. It can be mild or severe. Most cases are mild. You may have flu-like symptoms. With a mild case, you may just need rest, plenty of fluids, and a pain reliever.
Severe cases need immediate treatment. Symptoms of severe cases include:
- Severe headache
- Sudden fever
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Seizures
In babies, additional symptoms may include constant crying, poor feeding, body stiffness, and bulging in the soft spots of the skull.
Severe cases may require a stay in the hospital. Treatments include oral and intravenous (IV) medicines to reduce inflammation and treat infection. Patients with breathing difficulties may need artificial respiration. Some people may need physical, speech, and occupational therapy once the illness is under control.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Diagnosis and Tests
-
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
-
Computed Tomography (CT) -- Head
(American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- EEG (Electroencephalogram) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Magnetic Resonance, Functional (fMRI) -- Brain (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Mosquito Control (Environmental Protection Agency)
Related Issues
-
Meningitis
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Specifics
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
-
Encephalitis Lethargica
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Japanese Encephalitis: Frequently Asked Questions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
-
Rasmussen's Encephalitis
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- St. Louis Encephalitis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
-
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Travelers' Health: Japanese Encephalitis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Encephalitis
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: N-acetylglucosamine inhibits inflammation and neurodegeneration markers in multiple sclerosis: a mechanistic...
- Article: Analysis of inflammatory markers and tau deposits in an autopsy series...
- Article: MicroRNA-7: A New Intervention Target for Inflammation and Related Diseases.
- Encephalitis -- see more articles
Find an Expert
Children
- Encephalitis (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Encephalitis (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- CSF analysis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Encephalitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish