Viral encephalitis history and symptoms

For patient information, click here Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Patients with encephalitis suffer from fever, headache and photophobia with weakness and seizures are also common. Less commonly, stiffness of the neck can occur with rare cases of patients also suffering from stiffness of the limbs, slowness in movement and clumsiness depending on which specific part of the brain is involved. The symptoms of encephalitis are caused by the brain's defense mechanisms activating to get rid of the infection. Another symptom of Encephalitis is hallucination.

History and symptoms

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Acute confusion or decreased levels of consciousness.
• Amnesia (short or long term)
• Behavioral or personality change
• Photophobia, neck stiffness, neck pain (suggesting meningeal irritation.
• Seizure (Generalized or focal)
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite

Less common symptoms

• Flaccid paralysis
• Backache

Viral specific symptoms

• Herpes simplex virus
  • can be seen in neonates
  • Herpes specific lesion in skin, eye and mouth
  • Poor feeding
  • Decreased alertness
  • Seizures, Body stiffness
  • Irritability and crying more often (these symptoms may get worse when the baby is picked up)
  • Soft spot on the top of the head may bulge out more
  • Vomiting
  • Toxoplasma virus
  • Common in immuno-compromised patients (common in HIV patients presenting with neurological manifestations)

Some patients may have symptoms of a cold or stomach infection before encephalitis symptoms begin. When a case of encephalitis is not very severe, the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, including:

• Low energy and a poor appetite

Other symptoms include

• Clumsiness, unsteady gait
• Confusion, disorientation
• Drowsiness
• Irritability or poor temper control
• Light sensitivity
• Stiff neck and back (occasionally)
• Vomiting