Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue. The exact cause of encephalitis is mostly unknown. Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites can cause this disease. It is most often caused by viral diseases.

In cases called primary encephalitis, the factor multiplies where it enters. In cases called encephalitis after infection and after vaccination, encephalitis occurs after the causative agent enters the body.

What are the Symptoms?
Sometimes mild flu-like symptoms may be seen. Sometimes it may not give any symptoms at all.Sometimes high fever, severe headache, November muscle or joint pains, fatigue may be seen. The most important clinical finding is changes in the state of consciousness. It can cause restlessness, aggressiveness, drowsiness, mental confusion and seizures. Loss of sensation in certain parts of the body, loss of November muscle strength, double vision, hallucinations, speech disorders may be seen. Since the course of encephalitis disease cannot be completely predicted, it is very important that the diagnosis and treatment are carried out on time.

What are the factors that increase the risk of getting encephalitis?
Age: Generally, young children and the elderly are at a higher risk for most types of viral encephalitis.

Weakened immune system: People who carry the HIV / AIDS virus, take immunosuppressive drugs, or have a weakened immune system for other reasons are at risk.

Geographical regions: Mosquito-borne or tick-borne viruses are more common, especially in some geographical regions.

Seasons: Mosquito- and tick-borne diseases become more common in the summer and the first weeks of autumn. In some hot areas, mosquitoes are present throughout the year.

How is the Diagnosis Made?
Lumbar puncture, that is, the cerebrospinal fluid taken in the method popularly known as waistline Decontamination; pressure, color, number of cells, amount of protein, sugar level are taken into account. Methods such as the production of microbes in the cerebrospinal fluid by culture method, the isolation of the virus are applied.

In brain imaging performed by administering contrast media, contrast media involvement can be observed in some parts of the brain.In cases where brain waves called EEG are recorded by computer method, there may be a slowdown in brain waves and some abnormal brain wave activity.

Sometimes, in severe cases where other diagnostic methods do not work and a diagnosis needs to be made, a brain biopsy can be performed to help with the diagnosis.

How is the treatment of encephalitis performed?
In mild cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve complaints of bed rest, copious fluid consumption, and headache and fever.

More serious Encephalitis conditions usually require antiviral therapy. Antiviral drugs commonly used in the treatment of encephalitis are acyclovir and ganciclovir.For people with severe encephalitis, it is necessary to have supportive treatment in the hospital.Among brain inflammations, the best course is seen in brain inflammation due to mumps, and the highest cause of death is in brain inflammation due to the herpes virus.