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Reviewed by Dr Dan Rutherford, GP

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is a medical emergency and refers to inflammation of the brain tissue; this can also involve the membranes of the brain.

What causes encephalitis?

Encephalitis is usually due to an infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Several viruses are known to cause this disease, including measles, chickenpox, herpes, mumps, etc. Bacterial infection (staphylococci), syphilis and HIV can also be a cause.

It is not always possible to identify the type of infection from the symptoms or examination. Further tests are necessary to establish this.

What are the symptoms?

Headache, often severe.
Stiffness of the neck.
Fever.
Confusion.
In rare cases, convulsion or paralysis of the arms and legs.
Photophobia (dislike of bright light).
Psychiatric symptoms.

How does the doctor make a diagnosis?

If encephalitis is suspected, the following examinations and tests are usually performed:

physical and neurological examination.
collection and examination of spinal fluid for signs of inflammation and infection.
in some cases a cultivation of the spinal fluid is made to make a diagnosis.
in most cases a computerised tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is required.
EEG (electroencephalography - tracing of electrical activity of the brain).

How is encephalitis treated?

The patient should be hospitalised immediately and given antiviral or antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine. These are most often given by intramuscular or intravenous injections. Medicines to relieve symptoms will also be given.

Based on a text by Dr Per Rochat and Claus Madsen

Last updated 06.07.2005