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Encephalitis

What are the causes?

Encephalitis is usually caused by a viral infection. Exposure to viruses can occur through insect bites, food or drink contamination, inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person, or skin contact. Common illnesses such as measles and mumps can lead to Encephalitis. The virus reaches the brain causing an infection. Infected nerves may become damaged or destroyed. Although viruses infecting the brain are a major cause of encephalitis, the body's reaction to a virus itself can lead to encephalitis. This occurs when the immune system tries to fight off the virus and by mistake, attacks the nerves in the brain at the same time. This condition is called Post Infectious or autoimmune Encephalitis.

View What are the symptoms? What are the symptoms?  |  How is it diagnosed? View How is it diagnosed?

Medical text written November 2005 by the Encephalitis Society and Contact a Family. Approved November 2005 by Professor Hawkins, Professor of Clinical Neurology, Keele University and Consultant Neurologist to the Regional Neuroscience Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

 

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