encephalitis
Swollen brain tissue
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, typically caused by viral infection.
The condition ranges from mild flu-like symptoms to severe cases involving seizures, confusion, or coma.
The mosquito-borne virus can cause encephalitis in rare cases.
Various forms are named for their causes or regions: Japanese encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis.
Microscopic infectious agent
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- herpes simplexLatent blister-causing virus
- arbovirusArthropod-transmitted vertebrate pathogen
rabies · West Nile · tick-borne · mosquito-borne · enterovirus · cytomegalovirus · Epstein-Barr · varicella-zoster
Elevated body temperature
- headacheCranial pain
- seizuresInvoluntary convulsions or takings
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- deliriumAcute mental disorientation
lethargy · photophobia · neck stiffness · vomiting · altered consciousness · coma · hallucinations · personality changes
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- interleukinImmune-signaling protein from leukocytes
- demyelinationNerve sheath degradation
Agent blocking viral spread
- acyclovirAntiviral herpes medication
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
- anticonvulsantsSeizure-preventing medications
intensive care · intubation · mannitol · supportive care · rehabilitation · immunotherapy · dexamethasone · sedation
Harm to neural tissue
- cognitive impairmentDiminished intellectual function
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- speech difficultiesImpaired verbal communication
- hearing lossReduced ability to perceive sound
vision problems · behavioral changes · chronic fatigue · persistent vegetative state · death · developmental delays · learning disabilities
Extracting cerebrospinal fluid diagnostically
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- EEGNeural activity recording
- PCRDNA amplification technique
serology · antibody testing · brain biopsy · neuroimaging · blood culture · electroencephalogram
Brain's largest division
- cerebellumMovement coordination organ
- brainstemLower neural trunk
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- hippocampusMemory formation region
amygdala · temporal lobe · frontal lobe · thalamus · meninges · white matter · gray matter · blood-brain barrier
virus
Microscopic infectious agent
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- herpes simplexLatent blister-causing virus
arbovirus · rabies · West Nile · tick-borne · mosquito-borne · enterovirus · cytomegalovirus · Epstein-Barr · varicella-zoster · measles
fever
Elevated body temperature
- headacheCranial pain
- seizuresInvoluntary convulsions or takings
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
delirium · lethargy · photophobia · neck stiffness · vomiting · altered consciousness · coma · hallucinations · personality changes · memory loss
swelling
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- interleukinImmune-signaling protein from leukocytes
antiviral
Agent blocking viral spread
- acyclovirAntiviral herpes medication
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
anticonvulsants · intensive care · intubation · mannitol · supportive care · rehabilitation · immunotherapy · dexamethasone · sedation · fever management
brain damage
Harm to neural tissue
- cognitive impairmentDiminished intellectual function
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- speech difficultiesImpaired verbal communication
hearing loss · vision problems · behavioral changes · chronic fatigue · persistent vegetative state · death · developmental delays · learning disabilities
lumbar puncture
Extracting cerebrospinal fluid diagnostically
PCR · serology · antibody testing · brain biopsy · neuroimaging · blood culture · electroencephalogram
cerebrum
Brain's largest division
- cerebellumMovement coordination organ
- brainstemLower neural trunk
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
hippocampus · amygdala · temporal lobe · frontal lobe · thalamus · meninges · white matter · gray matter · blood-brain barrier · ventricles
- diseasescancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, influenza, measles
- infectionsviral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection, parasitic infection, bacteremia
- infectious diseasescholera, anthrax, malaria, measles, flu
- Deadly Diseasesrabies, smallpox, bubonic plague, cholera, anthrax
- Brain Disordersdementia, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease
- complicationscomplication, bleeding, paralysis, infections, hemorrhage
encephalitisbrain tumor
Abnormal growth in head
meningioma · Alzheimer's disease · traumatic brain injury · stroke · glioblastoma