DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Ever since I had my son, I tend to worry whenever he gets ill, so I try to educate myself on different viruses and autoimmune disorders. I recently came across encephalitis. What is it? What are some of the warning signs? And how is it treated?
ANSWER: It’s normal to worry as a parent. However, encephalitis is a rare disease. The word encephalitis means swelling (often inflammation) of the brain. Early signs can include the sudden onset of headache, fever and frequent seizures. Patients will often develop cognitive problems such as memory loss, hallucinations and confusion — sometimes not knowing what time of day it is or what year it is. A number of patients can develop problems walking, abnormal movements, fluctuating blood pressure and potential loss of consciousness. It can be a very challenging time for everyone involved.
