Encephalitis is a brain inflammation due to infection. The most common type of encephalitis is viral encephalitis.
Individuals with encephalitis may experience mild symptoms like headache or fever, or no symptoms at all. The condition is mostly seen in children, senior citizens, and those with a weak immune system. It is important to treat the condition in time. Leaving the condition untreated can be fatal or cause severe life-threatening complications.
In some rare cases, viral encephalitis is also caused by bacterial infection.
Types of Encephalitis
There are different types of encephalitis and each has different causes. The two main causes of the condition include:
Primary Encephalitis
Primary encephalitis is caused when the virus (in rare cases, bacteria or fungus) directly inflames the brain.
Secondary Encephalitis
Secondary encephalitis is caused when an infection that begins in other parts of the body moves to the brain or when your immune system fights against infection and wrongly attacks the brain.
In most cases, individuals with the condition may have mild to no symptoms at all. Some of the mild symptoms of the condition include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Weakness
- Lack of appetite
In severe cases, individuals with the condition may have the following symptoms:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations and changes in behavior
- Coma
- Severe headache
- High fever
- Difficulty in speaking or vision problems
- Loss of memory
It is difficult for children with the condition to describe the symptoms they experience. And so it is important to monitor unusual changes and symptoms in children. It is important to monitor your kid’s health closely. Consult your child’s doctor if your child has any of the below-mentioned symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Crying for no reason
- Stiffness
- Lack of appetite
Causes of Encephalitis
Primary encephalitis is caused by viruses that are majorly classified into three categories:
1. Common Viruses
The most common virus that causes the condition is the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The two types of HSV include HSV type 1 that is related to cold sores and is considered severe and can be fatal or cause severe brain damage. While HSV type 2 that is related to genital herpes.
Some of the common viruses that can cause the condition include HIV, cytomegalovirus, etc.
2. Childhood Viruses
Childhood viruses that can cause the condition include measles, rubella, mumps, etc.
3. Arboviruses
Insects usually spread this type of virus. Some arboviruses can cause conditions like West Nile, California Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, or Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Dengue Encephalitis is common in the Phillipines
Risk Factors
Common risk factors of encephalitis include:
- Young children and older adults are at a higher risk of developing encephalitis.
- Individuals with a weak immune system or who have any condition that causes a weak immune system are at a greater risk of developing this condition.
- Insects are common carriers of viruses. Mosquitoes and ticks can carry certain viruses that cause brain inflammation due to infection.
Diagnosis of Encephalitis
Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms you experience. If you have any signs and symptoms related to encephalitis, your doctor may ask you to undergo a few medical tests.
Some of the medical tests to diagnose the condition include:
Imaging tests – Tests like CT scans and MRI help to diagnose if there is any swelling or bleeding in the brain. The tests are helpful to understand the infected part of the brain and the type of virus present.
