Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It usually results from an infection, most often by a virus, but sometimes by bacteria, a fungus, or parasites. In rare cases, it is caused by brain injury, a drug or vaccine reaction, or poison. A virus, or other germ in the blood stream, can be carried to the […]
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The symptoms of encephalitis may vary widely depending on the cause and severity. They range from no symptoms in very mild cases, to more severe symptoms, including: Muscle weakness; unsteadiness standing up or trouble walking Headache, fatigue, fever, neck pain Stiff neck Nausea and vomiting A foul mood, irritability Aversion to light; squinting Seizures Clumsiness
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Doctors know surprisingly little about the causes of encephalitis. Outbreaks of encephalitis in a community are usually linked to insect-borne viruses, like the West Nile virus carried by mosquitoes that has sickened more than 50,000 people since it was first detected in the United States in 1999. But many more encephalitis cases are isolated, and
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Typically, a doctor will ask for a blood sample and order a lumbar puncture (sometimes called a spinal tap), in which a needle is inserted into the lower back and a small amount of fluid (called CSF or cerebro-spinal fluid) is taken from the spinal canal. This may be uncomfortable but is usually not painful when a
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During the “acute” phase After the inflammation has subsided During The “Acute” Phase (while the patient is actively ill with encephalitis) This phase usually lasts a week or two, after which symptoms resolve gradually or sometimes suddenly. Because it is often difficult to ascertain the cause of encephalitis, doctors generally prescribe an antibiotic immediately until
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