Encephalitis

Topic Overview

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the brain. Inflammation changes the normal blood flow in the brain. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, a fever, a bad headache, and a stiff neck. Sometimes it leads to symptoms like seizures and personality changes.

Encephalitis is rare, but it can be deadly. If you think you have symptoms of encephalitis, see a doctor right away.

Most people recover if they are treated promptly. But the illness can sometimes cause long-term problems, such as trouble with speech or memory.

What causes encephalitis?

Infection with a virus is the main cause of encephalitis. The herpes simplex virus is a common cause in the United States. This is the same virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes. The viruses that cause mumps, measles, chickenpox, mono (Epstein-Barr virus), influenza, and German measles (rubella) also can cause encephalitis. But these viruses only rarely infect the brain and cause encephalitis.

Another group of viruses, called arboviruses, can spread encephalitis through bites from mosquitoes and ticks. West Nile virus is one of these viruses. But most people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes or ticks do not get any symptoms. And only a very small number of people who have symptoms get encephalitis.

Infection with the rabies virus can also lead to encephalitis, but this is very rare.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of encephalitis can be mild or very serious. Symptoms can include:

• Confusion.
• A fever.
• A headache (which can be very painful).
• A stiff neck and back.
• Light hurting your eyes.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Lack of energy.
• Drowsiness.

More serious symptoms include:

• Seizures.
• Tremors.
• Personality changes.
• Memory loss.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there).

Symptoms in a baby may include:

• Vomiting.
• A bulging soft spot (fontanel) on the head.
• A stiff neck and body.

Call your doctor right away if you or your child has any of these symptoms.

Early on, symptoms of encephalitis may be like those of meningitis. This is a serious viral or bacterial illness that causes swelling of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord.

In general, symptoms that come on suddenly and are very bad from the start point to encephalitis that can be deadly.

How is encephalitis diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose encephalitis by testing the fluid in the spine for increases in white blood cells and protein. A sample of spinal fluid is taken during a lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap). In this test, the doctor puts a needle in your lower back between the bones of the spine.

An MRI scan, which takes pictures of the inside of your body, may show bleeding, swelling, or other changes in the brain.

Another test, called an EEG, can measure the electrical signals in the brain. It may show a change related to the illness.

You also may have blood tests to find out what type of virus is causing encephalitis. In some cases, a sample of brain tissue (biopsy) might be tested to look for infection.

How is it treated?

If you have encephalitis, you will need to be treated in a hospital. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms and the cause of your illness. For example, if the herpes simplex virus or chickenpox virus is the cause, you will get medicine called acyclovir. This medicine can stop viruses. But it works best if you get it right away.

There is no antiviral medicine to treat encephalitis caused by viruses spread by mosquitoes or ticks. Instead, you would get care to ease your symptoms and allow your body to heal on its own. This is called supportive care. You may take medicines to reduce pain and fever or to stop seizures. In some cases, you may need a machine called a ventilator to help you breathe.

Can encephalitis be prevented?

Your chance of getting encephalitis is low. But you can reduce your chance of getting it even more.

• Make sure that you and your children get shots (vaccines) against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and the flu.
• Avoid areas where there has been an outbreak of viral encephalitis. If you cannot avoid these areas:
  • Stay indoors at dawn and dusk. Mosquitoes are most active at these times.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you go outdoors.
  • Don't wear floral scents from perfumes, soaps, hair care products, and lotions. These may attract mosquitoes.
  • Spray clothing with an insect repellent containing permethrin or DEET to prevent mosquitoes from biting through clothing. An effective repellent will contain 35% DEET.
  • Don't apply repellent to the hands of children. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth.
  • Don't use old tires as swings or play equipment or keep them on your property for other reasons. When old tires collect water, they become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about encephalitis:	What is encephalitis? What are the symptoms? What happens in encephalitis? How common is it?
Being diagnosed:	How is encephalitis diagnosed? What tests will I need? What is a lumbar puncture? How can an EEG help in diagnosing encephalitis?
Getting treatment:	How is it treated?
Ongoing concerns:	What can I care for myself at home after treatment?

	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Amy Fackler, MA Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: August 17, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.