Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Encephalitis vs. Meningitis
Causes and Risk Factors
Symptoms
Is Encephalitis Curable?
Treatment
Healing and Rehabilitation
Long-Term Effects
Inflammation and swelling throughout the brain can cause confusion, headaches, and fatigue. Sometimes symptoms associated with inflammation are experienced in certain regions of the brain. Symptoms include vision changes, weakness of one side of the body, or seizures.
The symptoms of encephalitis can often be treated if the condition is detected right away. However, encephalitis can rapidly worsen, and serious long-term complications can result—including lifetime learning difficulties. This article describes the causes, effects, treatment, prognosis, and recovery of encephalitis.
Encephalitis vs. Meningitis: Differences and Similarities
Encephalitis is similar tomeningitis, but there are some major differences. Encephalitis is an infection or inflammation of the brain tissue. Meningitis is infection or inflammation of themeninges, which are the three layers of tissue that protect the brain.
Differences between encephalitis and meningitis include:
Role of Inflammation
Inflammationis a key component of meningitis and encephalitis. All causes of meningitis or encephalitis produce inflammation. Sometimes, the inflammation is secondary to an infection or medication, and sometimes, the inflammation is the primary cause of meningitis or encephalitis.
Immunosuppression can cause infectious encephalitis, and some medications, including some chemotherapy medications, can cause inflammatory encephalitis.
Encephalitis has many different causes. Anyone can develop encephalitis, but having a weak immune system due tohuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)orAIDS, advanced cancer, or powerful immune-suppressing therapies can increase the risk.
Causes of encephalitis include:
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), no cause is identified in up to 60% of encephalitis cases.Outside the United States, Japanese encephalitis is one of the most common causes of encephalitis worldwide.
EdemaAny injury, damage, or infection to the brain causes brain swelling that is described asedema. Inflammation often leads to leakiness of the small blood vessels, which allows fluid to collect in the damaged area.Edema can include inflammatory cells, fluid, and blood. Edema in the brain causespressure inside the skull, with symptoms of head pain, neurological symptoms, loss of consciousness, and even death. Treatment of edema is a key component of managing encephalitis.
Edema
Any injury, damage, or infection to the brain causes brain swelling that is described asedema. Inflammation often leads to leakiness of the small blood vessels, which allows fluid to collect in the damaged area.Edema can include inflammatory cells, fluid, and blood. Edema in the brain causespressure inside the skull, with symptoms of head pain, neurological symptoms, loss of consciousness, and even death. Treatment of edema is a key component of managing encephalitis.
Any injury, damage, or infection to the brain causes brain swelling that is described asedema. Inflammation often leads to leakiness of the small blood vessels, which allows fluid to collect in the damaged area.
Edema can include inflammatory cells, fluid, and blood. Edema in the brain causespressure inside the skull, with symptoms of head pain, neurological symptoms, loss of consciousness, and even death. Treatment of edema is a key component of managing encephalitis.
Symptoms: How Does Encephalitis Start?
Encephalitis can cause a variety of nonspecific symptoms. It may develop and progress gradually if a chronic, inflammatory disease causes it, but it may progress very rapidly when it occurs due to an infection.
Neurological symptoms of encephalitis can include head pain, trouble concentrating, difficulty speaking, dizziness, trouble walking, difficulty concentrating, weakness in one or both sides of the body, impaired coordination, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
In addition to the neurological effects of encephalitis, edema can cause severe dysregulation of breathing, heart function, blood pressure, and kidney function due to disruption of the regions of the brain that regulate control of these functions.
In Children
Young children might not be able to express how they feel and can have more subtle symptoms of encephalitis.This may include excessive sleepiness, not paying attention to sounds and people around them, trouble concentrating, irritability, and lack of appetite.
In Older Adults
Older adults might have subtle symptoms of encephalitis, especially if they are already living with a condition that can make it difficult to communicate, such as dementia.
People who have other health conditions may experience symptoms such as sleepiness, difficulty with walking and balance, unusual behavior, and confusion.
Encephalitis can be treated or cured in some circumstances. Treatment includes medication that will reduce inflammation and swelling, as well as treatment to manage the underlying cause.
Sometimes, even after receiving effective treatment of the inflammatory phase of encephalitis, people may experience long-term consequences, such as seizures or vision loss.
PrognosisIt is difficult to determine survival and prognosis of encephalitis.The incidence of autoimmune encephalitis in developed countries is approximately 5 to 10 per 100,000 people per year.The case fatality rate can be as high as 30%, and permanent neurological or psychiatric complications can affect up to 50% of people.A 2023 study found that only 61% of people were able to return to their previous work or school life.
Prognosis
It is difficult to determine survival and prognosis of encephalitis.The incidence of autoimmune encephalitis in developed countries is approximately 5 to 10 per 100,000 people per year.The case fatality rate can be as high as 30%, and permanent neurological or psychiatric complications can affect up to 50% of people.A 2023 study found that only 61% of people were able to return to their previous work or school life.
It is difficult to determine survival and prognosis of encephalitis.The incidence of autoimmune encephalitis in developed countries is approximately 5 to 10 per 100,000 people per year.
The case fatality rate can be as high as 30%, and permanent neurological or psychiatric complications can affect up to 50% of people.A 2023 study found that only 61% of people were able to return to their previous work or school life.
Encephalitis Treatment and Hospitalization
Encephalitis is usually treated in a hospital setting and often includes managing short-term complications, such as blood pressure changes or heart effects.
Treatments may include:
Some challenges of managing encephalitis include treating conflicting symptoms—for example, some people may have low blood pressure but excess fluid in the brain, and the treatment for each condition could worsen the other.
After the acute inflammatory phase of encephalitis, people who survive usually undergo a long rehabilitation period. During this recovery and healing phase, healthcare providers will evaluate your abilities and begin planning your rehabilitation program.
Types of rehabilitation from encephalitis include:
Encephalitis Long-Term Effects
Long-term effects of encephalitis may include a decline in physical or cognitive abilities, vision changes, epilepsy, orhydrocephalus(excess fluid in the brain). After recovery from the acute phase of encephalitis, you would be monitored for these long-term effects.
Complications of encephalitis:
If you developed encephalitis due to specific risk factors, such as a weak immune system, your healthcare providers will work with you to improve your immune system. This could include treatment for HIV or adjusting immune modifying medications.
Summary
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain tissue. It is a rare, dangerous, and potentially life-threatening condition. Encephalitis causes include a variety of infections, medications, and immune disorders. Some people are more susceptible to encephalitis because of a weak immune system, but anyone can get encephalitis.
Treatments can include medication to reduce inflammation and treatments to manage the symptoms. While encephalitis can be fatal, it can sometimes be curable.
Some people who survive may experience long-term consequences, such as seizures or physical or cognitive disabilities. Rehabilitation can help you regain many skills after recovering from encephalitis.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ellul M, Solomon T.Acute encephalitis - diagnosis and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):155-159. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-155National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.TBE: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.Ogami S, Koh J, Miyamoto K, et al.Predictive value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for treatment response in patients diagnosed with definite or probable autoimmune encephalitis/encephalopathy.Front Neurol.2023;14:1284717. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1284717Tiwari S, Ingle N, Goyal A.The clinical profile and prognostic factors influencing mortality in patients with acute encephalitis syndrome.Cureus.2023;15(9):e45771. doi:10.7759/cureus.45771Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.St. Louis encephalitis: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ellul M, Solomon T.Acute encephalitis - diagnosis and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):155-159. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-155National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.TBE: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.Ogami S, Koh J, Miyamoto K, et al.Predictive value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for treatment response in patients diagnosed with definite or probable autoimmune encephalitis/encephalopathy.Front Neurol.2023;14:1284717. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1284717Tiwari S, Ingle N, Goyal A.The clinical profile and prognostic factors influencing mortality in patients with acute encephalitis syndrome.Cureus.2023;15(9):e45771. doi:10.7759/cureus.45771Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.St. Louis encephalitis: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ellul M, Solomon T.Acute encephalitis - diagnosis and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):155-159. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-155National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.TBE: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.Ogami S, Koh J, Miyamoto K, et al.Predictive value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for treatment response in patients diagnosed with definite or probable autoimmune encephalitis/encephalopathy.Front Neurol.2023;14:1284717. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1284717Tiwari S, Ingle N, Goyal A.The clinical profile and prognostic factors influencing mortality in patients with acute encephalitis syndrome.Cureus.2023;15(9):e45771. doi:10.7759/cureus.45771Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.St. Louis encephalitis: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Ellul M, Solomon T.Acute encephalitis - diagnosis and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):155-159. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-155
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.TBE: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.
Ogami S, Koh J, Miyamoto K, et al.Predictive value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for treatment response in patients diagnosed with definite or probable autoimmune encephalitis/encephalopathy.Front Neurol.2023;14:1284717. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1284717
Tiwari S, Ingle N, Goyal A.The clinical profile and prognostic factors influencing mortality in patients with acute encephalitis syndrome.Cureus.2023;15(9):e45771. doi:10.7759/cureus.45771
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.St. Louis encephalitis: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
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