Encephalitis results in swelling of the brain and has numerous causes. Many viral and bacterial illnesses can result in this swelling. One of the most recognizable conditions associated with encephalitis is the West Nile Virus, which is transmitted through mosquito bites. Late stage West Nile Virus in difficult cases frequently results in encephalitis. Any case of encephalitis is dangerous because it impacts the brain, the organ that controls all other organs and helps us to think and reason.

Encephalitis is difficult to treat, even when the cause is bacterial. Once the brain begins to swell, this can result in fairly immediate symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, loss of certain body functions and damage to brain tissue. Some swelling can cause irreversible damage to the brain before the causal factor for the encephalitis can be treated.

An infected brain may be caused by meningitis, or can cause meningitis, since the fluid in the spine derives from the fluid in the head. Encephalitis can also impair breathing and cause either temporary or permanent lung damage. The heart may also be affected by encephalitis, particularly when brain swelling is due to bacteria. Often strep bacteria can cause tissues to grow in the valves of the heart, which is called endocarditis. This complication can damage the valves and necessitate surgery to clean out or sometimes replace valves as needed.

Since early symptoms of encephalitis, like minor fever or attitude change, may be ignored, encephalitis can lead to brain impairment. Speech/language centers or behavior centers of the brain may become permanently affected, very much like the effects one might witness from a stroke. This may mean months of speech therapy to help one recover from the damage caused by encephalitis.

Lastly, encephalitis even when treated, may result in death. Function may be so impaired by swelling that the brain simply shuts down all systems of the body. As well, painful seizures caused by swelling can worsen the swelling, hastening a person’s demise.

In general, encephalitis tends to be worse in those who are very young or very old. Most with encephalitis from viral or bacterial causes will recover without brain damage. However, children under the age of five and the elderly seem particularly vulnerable to complications.

Treatments for encephalitis include antibiotics, when encephalitis is bacterial, steroids to reduce swelling, anti-seizure medications and antiviral medications. In rare cases, surgery must be performed to rid the brain of the accumulated fluid that is severely impacting brain function. Surgery of this type is dangerous to perform, particularly on someone weakened by illness.