Is encephalitis serious?

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

Updated on March 04, 2025

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The severity of encephalitis varies greatly among individuals. Some mild cases of encephalitis, even with some degree of self-healing, do not require special treatment. For example, encephalitis caused by some enteroviruses and respiratory viruses has a very good recovery, and it is only necessary to prevent complications. However, some types of encephalitis are very dangerous and can even threaten the life of the patient. For instance, herpes simplex virus encephalitis can cause necrosis of the cerebral cortex, leading to high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and even epileptic seizures, psychiatric symptoms, and a significant increase in intracranial pressure, requiring urgent treatment.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

59sec

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Does encephalitis cause a runny nose?

Encephalitis can potentially cause a runny nose, as it is mainly caused by viral infections. These infections not only invade brain cells, leading to symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and even seizures related to the nervous system, but can also affect the respiratory tract. If these viruses accumulate in the respiratory tract, particularly in the nasal mucosa, they will definitely cause symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, expectoration, and sore throat. Therefore, it is evident that patients with encephalitis can exhibit symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Moreover, some patients initially present with respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, before the viruses enter and infect the brain cells. Patients with encephalitis must receive timely treatment, primarily symptomatic treatment to prevent complications, along with antiviral medication for targeted treatment. Most patients have a good prognosis.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 25sec

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How is encephalitis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of encephalitis cannot rely solely on auxiliary examinations; it must depend on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and corresponding physical examination. If a patient presents with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and signs of nuchal rigidity upon examination, the possibility of encephalitis should be considered. Additionally, severe cases of encephalitis may exhibit seizures, cognitive changes, and personality alterations. Auxiliary examinations mainly include three types: the first type is imaging studies, primarily brain MRI, which can clearly identify the specific areas of the brain affected and determine which brain lobe is damaged. The second important examination is an electroencephalogram (EEG), which can detect diffuse slow waves, especially a significant presence of delta waves, highly indicative of encephalitis. The third important auxiliary examination is lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid analysis; an increase in white blood cells and protein in the cerebrospinal fluid also suggests inflammation within the skull. Therefore, the main auxiliary examinations for encephalitis include MRI, EEG, and lumbar puncture.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

54sec

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Encephalitis belongs to which department?

Encephalitis is primarily a neurological disorder and is an infectious disease of the central nervous system, mainly diagnosed and treated in neurology. There are many causes of encephalitis, with viral encephalitis being the most common. For example, herpes simplex encephalitis is a typical type seen clinically. Patients may experience fever, even with very high temperatures exceeding 40°C, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. If the condition worsens, seizures, coma, and cognitive impairment may occur. These clinical manifestations require further investigations like electroencephalography, cranial MRI, and lumbar puncture. Additionally, there is a specific type of epidemic, known as Japanese encephalitis, which falls under the category of infectious diseases due to its contagious nature.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 13sec

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Pediatric Encephalitis Examination Items

Encephalitis in children is primarily due to a lowered immune resistance, which leads to infection by certain viruses. These viruses invade the nervous system, causing damage to neurons, resulting in symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Generally, the main tests for pediatric encephalitis include hematological tests related to bleeding, primarily involving routine blood tests, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These indices can reflect the inflammatory conditions inside the patient's body, helping to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections. Another very important auxiliary examination is the electroencephalogram (EEG), where pediatric encephalitis can show mild to moderate abnormalities, which is helpful for accurate diagnosis. The third examination involves performing a lumbar puncture to test the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the levels of white cells, glucose, and chloride, which are crucial for diagnosing encephalitis and differentiating it from other types of encephalitis.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

53sec

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Is encephalitis hereditary?

Encephalitis is mostly caused by viral infections. For instance, Epidemic B encephalitis is caused by the B encephalitis virus, and herpes simplex encephalitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Therefore, encephalitis is not related to genetic mutations and is not hereditary, so there is no need for special concern. It is important to note that some cases of encephalitis are not directly related to viral infections and may be related to autoimmune responses. For example, autoimmune encephalitis can occur in patients experiencing immune system disorder, which may be accompanied by some tumors. A disordered immune system can produce antibodies that attack one's own brain tissue, leading to autoimmune encephalitis. This type of encephalitis also has no genetic tendencies.