Encephalitis: Understanding Inflammation of the Brain
By Anshika
A comprehensive guide to encephalitis — its causes, symptoms, emergency treatment, and the road to recovery.
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue itself, usually caused by a viral infection or an autoimmune response. It is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
Causes of Encephalitis
**Infectious Encephalitis:** Viruses are the most common cause. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the leading cause of sporadic viral encephalitis worldwide.
**Autoimmune Encephalitis:** The immune system produces antibodies that attack brain proteins. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is the most common form.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically develop over days to weeks and include fever, severe headache, confusion or altered mental status, seizures, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, and in severe cases, coma.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Lumbar puncture is essential. MRI imaging may show characteristic brain inflammation patterns. Antiviral medications like acyclovir are given for herpes encephalitis. Autoimmune encephalitis is treated with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, or plasma exchange.