Viral encephalitis causes

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Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]

Overview

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic or protozoal infestations, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Additionally, fungal, and autoimmune disorders can also produce encephalitis

Causes

Encephalitis is a rare condition. It occurs more often in the first year of life and decreases with age. The very young and the elderly are more likely to have a severe case. Encephalitis is most often caused by a viral infection. The virus causes inflammation of brain tissue. The brain tissue swells (cerebral edema), which may destroy nerve cells, cause bleeding in the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage), and brain damage. Many types of viruses may cause it. Exposure to viruses can occur through:

  • Breathing in respiratory droplets from an infected person
  • Contaminated food or drink
  • Mosquito, tick, and other insect bites
  • Skin contact

Different viruses will occur in different locations. Many cases will tend to cluster in a certain season. Encephalitis caused by the herpes simplex virus is the leading cause of more severe cases in all ages, including newborns. A number of viruses for which there is now a vaccine may also cause encephalitis. These include:

Other viruses that cause encephalitis include:

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular No underlying causes
Chemical / poisoning No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect No underlying causes
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic No underlying causes
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic Vasculitic Neuropathy
Iatrogenic No underlying causes
Infectious Disease Botulism, diphtheria, lyme disease, poliomyelitis, CMV, paresis caused by West Nile fever
Musculoskeletal / Ortho No underlying causes
Neurologic Cauda equina syndrome, conus medullaris, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, acute myelopathies with chronic back pain and sphincter dysfunction
Nutritional / Metabolic Metabolic myopathies, nutritional neuropathy,
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic No underlying causes
Opthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose / Toxicity Heavy metal toxicity, poisonings with organophosphate, poison hemlock, thallium, or arsenic
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal / Electrolyte No underlying causes
Rheum / Immune / Allergy No underlying causes
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma No underlying causes
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous Porphyria

References

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