Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Summary
Encephalitisandmeningitisare both infections of the brain, but they affect different parts of the brain. Meningitis is an infection in the membranes surrounding thebrainand spinal cord, called the meninges, while encephalitis is inflammation of brain tissues.
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Encephalitis Symptoms
Physical symptoms of encephalitis can include:
Cognitive symptoms can include:
The symptoms of encephalitis may resemble other problems or medical conditions, so always consult your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis.
Meningitis Symptoms
There are two types of meningitis: viral and bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis is serious, but often less severe than bacterial meningitis.
In both types, symptoms can start suddenly, and include headache, fever, and a stiff neck. There are often other symptoms as well, including:
An infant with encephalitis or meningitis may have the following symptoms:
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within three to seven days after exposure.
When To Call a DoctorIt’s critical to seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis. Early treatment is crucial to avoiding severe symptoms and complications.
When To Call a Doctor
It’s critical to seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis. Early treatment is crucial to avoiding severe symptoms and complications.
Viral meningitis is the most common cause of meningitis, and infectious encephalitis is the most common type of encephalitis.
Encephalitis Causes
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 infectious encephalitis are the herpes simplex viruses, varicella zoster virus, orenteroviruses, which also cause gastrointestinal diseases.
Bacteria, fungi, and parasites can rarely cause encephalitis.
Brain Infection Symptoms and Treatment
Meningitis Causes
Other viruses that can cause meningitis include:
Can You Get Meningitis From Someone Who Has It?If you have close contacts with someone who has viral meningitis, you can become infected with the virus that made that person sick. However, you are not likely to develop meningitis. Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis.
Can You Get Meningitis From Someone Who Has It?
If you have close contacts with someone who has viral meningitis, you can become infected with the virus that made that person sick. However, you are not likely to develop meningitis. Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis.
Fungus- and parasite-related cases of meningitis are much less common. Parasites can cause rare forms of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis.
Anyone at any age can get encephalitis and meningitis. The three main risk factors are environmental exposure, recent travel, and a compromised immune system.
Encephalitis and meningitis require similar diagnostic tests. Testing will likely include:
If your doctor suspects that you have encephalitis, they will also order anelectroencephalogram, which monitors the electrical activity in the brain.
Both encephalitis and meningitis require immediate attention and treatment.
Encephalitis Treatment
Encephalitis can be treated with:
Meningitis Treatment
Bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis are treated differently. While all bacterial meningitis is treated in hospital, only some viral meningitis requires a hospital stay.
Bacterial meningitis needs to be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible.
Can You Prevent Bacterial Meningitis?Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are vaccines for three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis:Meningococcal vaccines help protect againstN. meningitidisPneumococcal vaccines help protect againstS. pneumoniaeHib vaccines help protect against Hib
Can You Prevent Bacterial Meningitis?
Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are vaccines for three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis:Meningococcal vaccines help protect againstN. meningitidisPneumococcal vaccines help protect againstS. pneumoniaeHib vaccines help protect against Hib
Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are vaccines for three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis:
Due to the many variables related to these two conditions, the prognosis varies. It is critical to seek medical help as soon as signs are recognized and symptoms set in, as early treatment is best.
In most cases, people with mild encephalitis or meningitis can make a full recovery. For those who have severe cases, permanent impairment or death is possible. Even mild cases can take weeks or months to recover fully.
Long-Term Effects of Meningitis
Encephalitis and meningitis can both cause inflammation and swelling in the brain. Bacterial meningitis and encephalitis require immediate medical attention as soon as symptoms appear, while viral meningitis usually resolves on its own within seven to 10 days.
4 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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Encephalitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis.
4 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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Encephalitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis.
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.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Encephalitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Encephalitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis.
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