The word comes from the Latin for brain encephalon and inflammation itis, and that is exactly what it is. The brain becomes inflamed as the body wrongly attacks the cells in the brain and spinal chord. The inflammation can last for a few days right up to several months. It can affect certain parts or the whole of the brain, and can range from mild to severe. Fixing the root cause of the encephalitis, and easing symptoms, are the main courses of action for treating this disease.
The different types of encephalitis correspond to the different causes. Little is known about the causes of some types of encephalitis, and research is always ongoing. We do know a little more about the most common type, viral encephalitis, although even here, there are still elements we do not understand.
People already suffering with a virus can contract encephalitis when the virus manages to bypass the blood-brain barrier within the brain, which usually filters the blood going into the brain to keep out anything damaging. It is not known for sure how or why this is able to occur, but we do know that only certain viruses are able to get through the barrier and therefore cause encephalitis. Most cases of viral encephalitis are a result of the herpes simplex virus, and others include chicken pox, measles and german measles, to name a few. It is important to note, however, that having these viruses on their own does not mean you are likely to contract encephalitis - they are extremely rare cases. Treatment involves anti-viral medication, as well as treatments to help the symptoms, such as anti-epilepsy drugs to help with seizures and pain relief for headaches.
For those of you in the US, this is one to watch out for. Certain insects, including ticks and mosquitoes, carry viruses which can cause encephalitis, so any bites should be treated and watched over the coming days and weeks, to ensure encephalitis is not occurring. Bites should always be monitored, as there are many other diseases which are caused by bites, such as lyme disease.
This is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body unknowingly attacks a part of the body thinking it is a threat, and not much is known as to the reasons why. The body sees the brain or spinal cord as a threat, and attacks it, causing inflammation. Cases of autoimmune encephalitis are rare, but they are usually treated by trying to suppress the immune system temporarily to help the body return to normal.
A very small number of cases are caused by a bacterial or fungal infection such as meningitis (particularly this one as it affects the meninges close to the blood brain barrier). These cases are treated with antibiotics.
There are quite a few symptoms and some of them are common with many other conditions, so watching out for them can help get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible, leading to improved outcomes. First symptoms may not be severe and may be as simple as a headache, but if those symptoms do not go away or get worse, you should seek medical attention. You may experience some of the following symptoms:
As detailed in each type of encephalitis, treatment can vary depending on the causes, but all will involve treatments to help ease symptoms such as pain and nausea. It can take days or weeks, or even months, but eventually the inflammation will reduce, and the most recovery happens in the first few months after this. At this point the brain will need to be assessed and monitored over time to determine any longterm effects. Many people return to normal life, perhaps with some small changes to their physical or mental abilities, and others will have more severe issues moving forwards. Because the disease affects the brain and central nervous system, these longterm effects can be almost anything, from physical limitations and speech problems, to psychological effects and changes in personality. Services are available for all longer term recovery and many people really benefit from these, going on to rehabilitate themselves into their new life. We have put some links to some great charities to help you if you or a loved one has been affected by encephalitis:
If you are concerned about your symptoms, particularly as the ones listed here can suggest a range of conditions, place your symptoms into the Isabel Symptom Checker and discuss the results with your doctor: