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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Encephalitis (en-sef-uh-LI-tis) is inflammation of the brain. Viral infections are the most common cause of the condition.

Encephalitis can cause flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or severe headache, as well as confused thinking, seizures, or problems with senses or movement. Many cases of encephalitis may go unnoticed because they result in only mild flu-like symptoms or even no symptoms. Severe cases of encephalitis, while relatively rare, can be life-threatening.

Because the course of any single case of encephalitis is relatively unpredictable, it's important to get a timely diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms
References
  1. Encephalitis and meningitis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/detail_encephalitis_meningitis.htm. Accessed March 8, 2011.
  2. Encephalitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec16/ch217/ch217c.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  3. Johnson RP, et al. Viral encephalitis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  4. Hardarson HS. Acute viral encephalitis in children and adolescents: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  5. Beckham J, et al. Encephalitis. In: Mandell G, et al., eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1129246002&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00087-4&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00087-4&uniqId=237025740-4. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  6. Hardarson HS. Acute viral encephalitis in children and adolescents: Pathogenesis and etiology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  7. Information on arboviral enchephalitides. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/arbdet.htm. Accessed March 8, 2011.
  8. Hardarson HS. Acute viral encephalitis in children and adolescents: Treatment and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  9. Insect repellant use and safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm. Accessed March 15, 2011.
  10. A parent's guide to insect repellent. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://patiented.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=5556. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  11. Acyclovir. National Center for Biotechnology Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000533. Accessed March 22, 2011.
  12. Ganciclovir injection. National Center for Biotechnology Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000889. Accessed March 22, 2011.
DS00226 May 5, 2011

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