Encephalitis symptoms include fever, headaches, sleepiness, and changes in behavior. The condition may progress quickly and can cause serious problems if left untreated. Your child should go to the hospital as soon as possible if you notice any symptoms of encephalitis. You can also ask your doctor to take a brain scan, X-ray, or other test to diagnose this condition.
The most common causes of encephalitis are viruses and other infections that cause inflammation in the brain. Other causes are bacterial infections and parasites, such as toxoplasmosis or Lyme disease.
Symptoms of encephalitis are usually mild, and most people who have this illness recover fully. However, some people have long-term problems with learning or memory and have seizures.
Other symptoms of encephalitis include mood changes, recurring headaches, weakness down one side of the body, difficulty with concentration or balance, and confusion. These symptoms may be milder or more serious, depending on the part of the brain affected by encephalitis.
In severe cases, your child will need to stay in the hospital and be closely monitored. In some cases, medications will be given to help control fever or seizures. Your child may also need oxygen and a breathing machine to help him or her breathe more easily.
There are many different types of encephalitis, and each person has unique symptoms and a different outcome. The best way to treat encephalitis is to find and cure the cause of it.
Medications can be used to reduce the swelling in your head. These may include antibiotics, anticonvulsants or other drugs. Your health care provider will determine what medication is right for you.
Your treatment plan will depend on the cause of your encephalitis and your age, health and lifestyle. The treatment plan will include a variety of medicines to reduce the swelling in your brain and prevent other complications.
Immunizations are an important part of preventing encephalitis and other illnesses. Vaccines are available for many different viruses, including measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
You should always make sure you have received all your vaccinations and that they are up to date. It is also a good idea to avoid mosquitoes and ticks that can carry viruses. You should use hand sanitizer after being bitten and avoid contact with animals.
If your doctor suspects encephalitis, he or she will order tests to find out what is causing the inflammation in the brain. These tests include an EEG, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), and a polymerase chain reaction test to find the virus that is causing the infection.
Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history, including your vaccinations and if you have had any respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses recently. He or she will also ask about the recent travels you have made, including if you have visited any countries that are known to be at risk for encephalitis.
A brain scan can help doctors identify the cause of your encephalitis and rule out other diseases that might cause your symptoms, such as stroke or subarachnoid haemorrhage. The scan is done by a CT or MRI scanner and can show images of the inside of your brain from different angles. Often, dye (contrast agent) is used to highlight areas of inflammation.
