Encephalitis

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When to see the doctor

Go to the doctor

• if your child has an unexplained fever and is generally unwell
• if your child has chickenpox, measles or glandular fever and starts to complain of severe headaches, or suddenly appears to be very drowsy.

What causes it?

Encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by any number of organisms, especially viruses. The most common include Herpes simplex, the chickenpox virus (varicella), the measles virus and the glandular fever virus (Epstein-Barr virus). Herpes simplex may attack the brain directly, and the others may bring about an inflammatory reaction in the brain to an infection elsewhere in the body.

What are the symptoms?

The onset of encephalitis is usually sudden and the child develops a fever, becomes lethargic and is generally unwell. An older child may complain of a severe headache. Without treatment, the illness can progress, causing convulsions, weakness of one side of the body and may eventually lead to coma.

How is it treated?

The child with encephalitis is admitted to hospital. Specific antiviral medications are helpful in some instances, and the child is supported generally. If the encephalitis is severe, especially in younger children, there may be complications such as muscle weakness or speech problems, which may need to be treated.

How can I prevent it?

Make sure that your child is fully immunised. This will help to eliminate some of the possible causes.

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