What is Encephalitis?
Encephalitis (en-sef-uh-LIE-tis) is inflammation of the brain. There are several causes, including viral infection, autoimmune inflammation, bacterial infection, insect bites and others. Sometimes there is no known cause.
Encephalitis may cause only mild flu-like signs and symptoms — such as a fever or headache — or no symptoms at all. Sometimes the flu-like symptoms are more severe. Encephalitis can also cause severe symptoms including confusion, seizures, or problems with movement or with senses such as sight or hearing.
In some cases, encephalitis can be life-threatening. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important because it's difficult to predict how encephalitis will affect each individual.
Symptoms:
Most people with viral encephalitis have mild flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Fever
- Aches in muscles or joints
- Fatigue or weakness
Sometimes the signs and symptoms are more severe, and might include:
- Confusion, agitation or hallucinations
- Seizures
- Loss of sensation or being unable to move certain areas of the face or body
- Muscle weakness
- Problems with speech or hearing
- Loss of consciousness (including coma)
In infants and young children, signs and symptoms might also include:
- Bulging in the soft spots (fontanels) of an infant's skull
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body stiffness
- Poor feeding or not waking for a feeding
- Irritability
When to see a doctor
Get immediate care if you are experiencing any of the more-severe symptoms associated with encephalitis. A severe headache, fever and change in consciousness require urgent care. Infants and young children with any signs or symptoms of encephalitis should receive urgent care.