Encephalitis Symptoms

A person who has encephalitis symptoms may have signs of a mild flu-like illness. In more severe cases, symptoms may include problems with speech or hearing, double vision, hallucinations, and muscle weakness. Extreme symptoms of encephalitis include brain damage, stroke, seizures, and death. Infants who have this condition may experience vomiting and body stiffness.

An Overview of Encephalitis Signs and Symptoms

Inflammation of the brain is also known as encephalitis. In many cases, patients with this condition will show signs of mild flu-like illness.
 

More Severe Symptoms of Encephalitis

In more severe cases, patients with encephalitis symptoms may have:
 
  • Problems with speech or hearing
  • Double vision
  • Hallucinations
  • Personality changes
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Loss of sensation in some parts of the body
  • Muscle weakness
  • Partial paralysis in the arms and legs
  • Sudden severe dementia
  • Impaired judgment
  • Seizures
  • Memory loss.
     

Symptoms in Infants

Important encephalitis symptoms to watch for in an infant include:
 
  • Vomiting
  • Body stiffness
  • Constant crying that may become worse when the child is picked up
  • Full or bulging fontanel (the soft spot on the top of the head).
     

Encephalitis and Its Complications

In extreme cases of encephalitis, complications can include:
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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