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Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic protozoal infestations, like by toxoplasma, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death.

Features


Patients with encephalitis suffer from fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness and photophobia. The patients could also suffer from weakness, seizure, and less commonly, stiffness of the neck. Rarely, the patients may have limb stiffness, slowness in movement and clumsiness, depending on the specific part of the brain involved. The symptoms of encephalitis are caused by the brain's defense mechanisms activating to get rid of the infection, including swelling, small bleedings and cell death.

Aetiology


Victims are usually exposed to viruses resulting in encephalitis by insect bites or food and drink. The most frequently encountered agents are arboviruses (carried by mosquitoes or ticks, see also tick-borne meningoencephalitis) and enteroviruses (coxsackievirus, poliovirus and echovirus). Some of the less frequent agents are measles, rabies, mumps, varicella and herpes simplex viruses. Incidentally type 3 Lyssavirus (Mokola virus), found in Australia, causes a lethal encephalitis which hardly resembles rabies. Numerically, the most important cause of encephalitis worldwide is probably Japanese encephalitis, as it causes up to 50 000 cases a year, with about 15 000 deaths. Japanese encephalitis affects East and Southeast China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, South Asia and even Northern Australia. The most widespread cause of encephalitis worldwide, however, is Herpes Simplex encephalitis. The herpes simplex virus causes inflammation on the temporal lobe of the brain, and if not treated, half to three quarters of the patients succumb. In very young children, however, the virus could affect any part of the brain, even sparing the temporal lobe.

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Intercell's Ixiaro vaccine approved in #Canada for #Japanese #Encephalitis. http://ow.ly/yFnZ
CenterWatch (CenterWatch) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:05:27 -0000
Intercell's Ixiaro vaccine approved in #Canada for #Japanese #Encephalitis. http://ow.ly/yFnZ
Encephalitis claim 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 affected #Gaya, #area, #drive - http://bz2.in/EASa
asianetindia (asianetindia.com) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:02:40 -0000
Encephalitis claim 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 affected #Gaya, #area, #drive - http://bz2.in/EASa
Encephalitis claims 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 people affected: Altogether 35 people have so far died of... http://bit.ly/3bZU5Y
TOIRecentStory (TOI Recent Stories) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:42:47 -0000
Encephalitis claims 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 people affected: Altogether 35 people have so far died of... http://bit.ly/3bZU5Y
Encephalitis claim 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 affected: Altogether 35 people have so far died of Japanese... http://bit.ly/3bZU5Y
TOIIndiaNews (TOI India News) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:42:42 -0000
Encephalitis claim 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 affected: Altogether 35 people have so far died of Japanese... http://bit.ly/3bZU5Y
Encephalitis claims 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 people affected: Altogether 35 people have so far died of Jap.. http://bit.ly/3xt8JB
jyotimy (jyoti yeotikar) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:29:06 -0000
Encephalitis claims 35 lives in Bihar, around 145 people affected: Altogether 35 people have so far died of Jap.. http://bit.ly/3xt8JB
Swine Flu in Pune/Bangalore/other cities, Dengue in Delhi & now Encephalitis in Bihar....Do we ever talk about Health Infrastructure?
pragmatic_rebel (Yogesh Ramesh Sharma) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:27:22 -0000
Swine Flu in Pune/Bangalore/other cities, Dengue in Delhi & now Encephalitis in Bihar....Do we ever talk about Health Infrastructure?

 
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Arboviral Encephalitides - Detailed information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

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Eastern Equine Encephalitis - A report of five cases of this disease in Florida, Eastern United States, in 1991.
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Eastern Equine Encephalitis Facts - Includes cause, symptoms, diagnosis, risk facotrs, prognosis, treatment, and prevention.

eMedicine Health - Encephalitis - Consumer health resource center providing information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of an acute infection and inflammation of the brain.
Meta Description: [ Encephalitis is an acute infection and inflammation of the brain itself. This is in contrast to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the layers covering the brain. Encephalitis is generally ... ]

Encephalitis and Meningitis - Information page compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Meta Description: [ Encephalitis and meningitis information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). ]

Encephalitis Global - Support for survivors, family and caregivers. Information about this disease, discussions, a chat room and international friendship between people who have been touched, and are striving to understand.
Meta Description: [ For Encephalitis survivors, caregivers, family and friends... a place to discuss, exchange ideas, and learn. West Nile Virus, ADEM, Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, mosquito, viral, bacterial, St. Louis, LaCrosse ]

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Encephalitis Support Group - A Yahoo! Group supporting families affected with this disorder.
Meta Description: [ Nceph2Group: Encephalitis Support Group ]

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