Have you had any exposure to wild animals or known toxins recently?.Are you up to date on your immunizations? When was your last one?.Have you recently had a cold, flu or other illness?.Have you been bitten by a mosquito or tick during the past few weeks?.Have you recently started taking any new medications? If so, what is the medication?.You may need to answer these questions, or answer them on behalf of your child or another person with severe illness: The emergency care team will likely include specialists in infectious diseases and in the brain and nervous system (neurologist). Serious illness associated with encephalitis is usually severe and relatively sudden, so seek emergency care. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Clinical trialsД®xplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Psychotherapy to learn coping strategies and new behavioral skills to improve mood disorders or address personality changes.Speech therapy to relearn muscle control and coordination to produce speech.Occupational therapy to develop everyday skills and to use adaptive products that help with everyday activities.Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, balance, motor coordination and mobility.If you experience complications of encephalitis, you might need additional therapy, such as: Anticonvulsant medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin), to stop or prevent seizures.Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, to reduce swelling and pressure within the skull.Intravenous fluids to ensure proper hydration and levels of essential minerals.Breathing assistance, as well as careful monitoring of breathing and heart function.People who are hospitalized with severe encephalitis might need: Rarely, side effects can include kidney damage. Acyclovir can be effective against HSV, which can result in significant complications when not treated promptly.ДЄntiviral medications are generally well tolerated.

But because the specific virus may not be identified immediately or at all, doctors often recommend immediate treatment with acyclovir. Some viruses, such as insect-borne viruses, don't respond to these treatments. Anti-inflammatory drugs - such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) - to relieve headaches and feversД®ncephalitis caused by certain viruses usually requires antiviral treatment.ДЄntiviral medications commonly used to treat encephalitis include:.Treatment for mild encephalitis usually consists of: A brain biopsy is usually done only if symptoms are worsening and treatments are having no effect. Rarely, a small sample of brain tissue might be removed for testing. Certain abnormal patterns may indicate a diagnosis of encephalitis. Electrodes affixed to your scalp record the brain's electrical activity. Samples of blood, urine or excretions from the back of the throat can be tested for viruses or other infectious agents. Sometimes samples of CSF can be tested to identify the virus or other infectious agent. Changes in this fluid can indicate infection and inflammation in the brain. A needle inserted into your lower back removes a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal column. MRI or CT images can reveal any swelling of the brain or another condition that might be causing your symptoms, such as a tumor. Your doctor will start with a thorough physical examination and medical history.

Inflammation of the brain