How long someone with encephalitis needs to stay in hospital can range from a few days to several weeks or even months. Some people eventually make a full recovery from encephalitis, although this can be a long and frustrating process. Many people never make a full recovery and are left with long-term problems caused by damage to their brain. These problems can have a significant impact on the life of the affected person, as well as their family and friends.
It's not always possible to prevent encephalitis, but some of the infections that cause it can be prevented with vaccinations. Speak to a GP surgery if you're not sure whether your vaccinations are up to date, or you're planning to travel abroad and do not know if you need any vaccinations.
Page last reviewed: 03 December Next review due: 03 December It can be life threatening and requires urgent treatment in hospital.
Anyone can be affected, but the very young and very old are most at risk. The doctor might order a blood test if a West Nile virus infection is thought to be the cause. The majority of patients who have encephalitis go on to have at least one complication , especially elderly patients, those who had symptoms of coma, and individuals who did not receive treatment at an early stage. Keeping up-to-date with vaccines is the most effective way of reducing the risk of developing encephalitis.
These include vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and if the virus exists in those areas, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis. In areas known to have mosquitoes that carry encephalitis-causing viruses, individuals should take measures to reduce the risk of being bitten. This may include wearing appropriate clothing, avoiding mosquito-infested areas, avoiding going outside at specific times during the day when there are large numbers of mosquitoes about, keeping the home mosquito-free, using mosquito repellent, and making sure there is no stagnant water around the home.
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Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What's to know about Japanese encephalitis? Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, MD. All about bacterial meningitis. Cases of encephalitis are likely to continue to rise as more and more autoimmune causes are recognized. Emerging infections such as Zika, chikungunya and Powassan viruses can also contribute to this trend. Infectious encephalitis is typically caused by a viral infection.
Vaccines for measles , mumps, rubella and chickenpox have reduced the rate of encephalitis from these diseases, but other viruses can cause encephalitis. The most common causes of viral encephalitis are herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 , varicella zoster virus and enteroviruses, which cause gastrointestinal illness. Encephalitis can also result from certain viruses carried by mosquitoes, ticks and other insects or animals such as:.
Other infectious microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and parasites can also cause encephalitis, though rarely. Antibodies may target specific proteins or receptors in the brain, which determine the type of autoimmune encephalitis:. While the causes of autoimmune encephalitis are not well understood, it can sometimes result from a tumor benign or cancerous. Some types of autoimmune encephalitis such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis ADEM are typically triggered by an infection post-infectious encephalitis.
Acute encephalitis shows up with an onset of symptoms that get worse over the course of days to weeks. Infectious encephalitis often starts with flu-like symptoms or headache and evolves to altered mental status and problems with thinking, remembering and reasoning. Autoimmune encephalitis typically progresses over the course of weeks. Symptoms of encephalitis vary according to the area of the brain affected and, in autoimmune encephalitis, depending on the associated antibody.
Encephalitis caused by certain infections or autoimmune processes can show up with characteristic symptoms. The symptoms of encephalitis may resemble other problems or medical conditions.
Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis. You may need to be evaluated for encephalitis if you are experiencing a combination of symptoms such as fever, altered state of awareness, seizures or changes in behavior or movement. It is very important to identify encephalitis promptly to decrease the risk of death or lasting complications. To diagnose encephalitis, your healthcare provider might order tests, perform a medical exam and discuss your medical history.
The doctor may ask about your vaccinations, recent colds and other respiratory illnesses or gastrointestinal illness. He or she will want to know if you have recently had a tick bite, have been around pets or other animals, or have traveled to certain locations.
The key to surviving encephalitis is early detection and effective treatment of the underlying cause. A team of specialists working together is an important factor in optimal care.
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