Neurosurgery
Discover how Main Line Health neurosurgeons provide expert care, from routine to complex spinal and nervous system conditions for patients.
Encephalitis
What is encephalitis?
Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, is a rare disease that's usually caused by a virus such as influenza (flu), herpes simplex type 1 or 2, rabies, chicken pox, or West Nile Virus. Viruses can be transmitted from person to person such as by coughing and sneezing, or by touching an object that's been touched by an infected person. We can also get viruses by way of a tick or mosquito bite. Because the root cause of encephalitis is usually a virus, the condition is commonly referred to as viral encephalitis.
There is no way to prevent encephalitis since there's no way to prevent viruses. It helps to be aware, however, that young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems (such as people living with HIV) may be more susceptible to getting encephalitis.
Symptoms of encephalitis
Mild cases of encephalitis may go unrecognized because symptoms, if you have any at all, are similar to other conditions. You might experience:
- Fever
- Headache
- Lack of appetite
- Low energy
In rare cases, symptoms of encephalitis may include:
- Changes in personality
- Confusion, disorientation
- Difficulty speaking
- Seizures
If you have symptoms that worry you or you know you have been exposed to a virus, don't ignore your symptoms. Get in touch with a doctor who can diagnose your condition.
Treatments
If diagnosed and treated promptly, the prognosis is positive for most people with encephalitis. Your doctor may order a blood test to determine what bacteria or virus is causing your symptoms. You may also have a CT scan or MRI to check for swelling or bleeding in the brain. Depending on what is causing encephalitis and how severe the inflammation is, treatment may include anti-viral medication, steroidal injections and other therapies.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with encephalitis, your condition will need to be closely monitored by a medical professional as complications from encephalitis can quickly occur and every patient's response to the disease is different.
Medications
Neurology Medical Management
Physical Therapy
Each inpatient and outpatient physical therapy rehab is individually designed and administered by a licensed physical therapist who consistently guides you from that first visit all the way through recovery.
Speech Therapy
Our multidisciplinary approach to inpatient and outpatient speech therapy rehab includes expert diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders led by master’s-level, licensed and certified speech pathologists.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy and sensory integration helps patients who’ve experienced a debilitative injury or illness return to activities of daily living (ADL), such as dressing, eating, writing, shopping, toileting and driving.
Infectious Diseases
Main Line Health’s infectious disease specialists provide diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of illnesses and infections.
Occupational Health Services
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Neurology
The neurology team at Main Line Health treats and manages conditions such as migraines, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and more.
Brain Injury Rehab
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital was one of the first facilities in the country to offer traumatic and nontraumatic inpatient brain injury rehab as well as outpatient brain injury rehab and has remained one of the best rehabilitation hospitals for brain injury treatment in the Philadelphia region for more than 30 years.