health

Encephalitis is an illness that can range from mild cases with flu-like
symptoms to life-threatening, severe cases that can kill patients or leave
them with permanent problems. The severity of the illness varies
according to the patient’s age, the organism that is causing the encephalitis,
and the condition of the person’s immune system. Mild viral encephalitis
may have no symptoms at all, or a brief period of headaches,
tiredness, and irritability.
Severe encephalitis often begins with a prodrome, or a period of
warning symptoms. After the prodrome, victims of the disease may become
feverish, vomit, become drowsy, find that their eyes are sensitive to light,
complain of a stiff neck, or feel unsteady on their feet when they try to
walk. They should see their doctor at once. If they lose their memory, have
speech problems, are paralyzed, or go into a coma, they need emergency
medical treatment and should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.