Encephalitis

Generality

Encephalitis is the term by which doctors identify inflammation of the brain, which, together with the spinal cord, constitutes the central nervous system (CNS).
Encephalitis is a "medical emergency, so it requires immediate treatment.

More than half of cases of encephalitis arise from unknown (or unidentifiable) causes. In the remaining portion of cases, the most common triggers are viral infections and immune system abnormalities; less frequent are cases of encephalitis sustained by bacterial, protozoal or fungal infections.
Generally, encephalitis begins with symptoms that resemble a simple flu. Within 24-48 hours, however, they lead to the onset of increasingly serious and debilitating symptoms.
An early and accurate diagnosis of encephalitis is very important, because it allows the doctor to start the most appropriate therapies early.
Treatment depends on the triggering causes and, in the most serious cases, also involves hospitalization of the patient.