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Sub-Category:

Infectious Neurological Conditions

Number of Conditions: 1

Encephalitis

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Neurological Emergencies

Sub-category: Infectious Neurological Conditions

Symptoms:
fever; headache; altered consciousness; seizures; confusion; weakness; speech difficulties

Root Cause:
Inflammation of brain parenchyma, often caused by viral infections (e.g., herpes simplex virus) or autoimmune processes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, imaging (MRI), lumbar puncture (CSF analysis), EEG, and PCR testing for viral DNA/RNA.

Treatment:
Antiviral therapy, immunomodulatory therapy (if autoimmune), supportive care for seizures and intracranial pressure.

Medications:
Acyclovir (antiviral for herpes simplex encephalitis ), corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for autoimmune encephalitis .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
5–10 cases per 100,000 annually worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Immunosuppression, travel to endemic areas, mosquito or tick bites, young or elderly age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; early treatment improves outcomes, but neurological sequelae may persist in severe cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cognitive deficits, motor dysfunction, seizures, and death in severe cases.