Encephalitis Symptoms

People with encephalitis symptoms often show signs of mild flu-like illness. In more severe cases, symptoms may include problems with speech or hearing, double vision, hallucinations, and muscle weakness. Extreme encephalitis symptoms include brain damage, stroke, seizures, and death. Infants with encephalitis may experience vomiting and body stiffness.

 

An Overview of Encephalitis Symptoms

Patients with encephalitis symptoms often show signs of mild flu-like illness.
 

More Severe Encephalitis Symptoms

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.
     

Encephalitis Symptoms in Infants

Important signs of encephalitis 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:
 
  • Brain damage
  • Stroke
  • Seizures
  • Death.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD