Encephalitis and meningitis are inflammatory conditions that affect different parts of the brain.
Both conditions can be because of viruses and bacteria, but they can also have non-infectious causes.
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Symptoms
The symptoms ofencephalitisandmeningitiscan be very similar.
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Both are characterized by inflammation and swelling.
Although they share symptoms, symptom onset and severity varies between different types of encephalitis and meningitis.
It evolves to altered mental status and problems with thinking, remembering, and reasoning.
This bang out of encephalitis happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain.
Symptoms of encephalitis vary according to the area of the brain affected.
Early treatment is crucial to avoiding severe symptoms and complications.
Meningitis Symptoms
There are two types of meningitis: viral and bacterial meningitis.
Viral meningitis is serious, but often less severe than bacterial meningitis.
In both types, symptoms can start suddenly, and include headache, fever, and a stiff neck.
Typically they develop within three to seven days after exposure.
Meningitis tends to come on more suddenly than encephalitis, and the symptoms may be more severe.
Encephalitis can also be autoimmune.
While the causes ofautoimmune encephalitisare not well understood, it can sometimes result from a tumor.
Some cases may be triggered by an infection.
Meningitis Causes
Meningitis can be because of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Viral meningitis is the most common punch in of meningitis, with nonpolio enteroviruses being the main cause.
Other viruses that can cause meningitis include:
Can You Get Meningitis From Someone Who Has It?
However, you are not likely to develop meningitis.
Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis.
Meningitis can also be resulting from bacteria.
Several types of bacteria can cause meningitis.
Leading causes in the United States include:
Fungus- and parasite-related cases of meningitis are much less common.
Parasites can cause rare forms of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis.
Anyone at any age can get encephalitis and meningitis.
The three main risk factors are environmental exposure, recent travel, and a compromised immune system.
Diagnosis
Encephalitis and meningitis require similar diagnostic tests.
Treatment
Both encephalitis and meningitis require immediate attention and treatment.
While all bacterial meningitis is treated in hospital, only some viral meningitis requires a hospital stay.
There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis.
Antiviral medicine may help people with meningitis sparked by viruses such as the herpes viruses and influenza viruses.
Mild meningitis generally resolves on its own within seven to 10 days.
Bacterial meningitis needs to be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible.
Can You Prevent Bacterial Meningitis?
Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis.
In most cases, people with mild encephalitis or meningitis can make a full recovery.
For those who have severe cases,long-term impairmentor death is possible.
Even mild cases of encephalitis can take weeks or months to recover fully.
Summary
Encephalitis and meningitis can both cause inflammation and swelling in the brain.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between encephalitis and meningitis based on symptoms alone.
Someone with either condition may experience headache, flu-like symptoms, stiff neck, and neurological symptoms.
Meningitis tends to come on more quickly than encephalitis, however, and the symptoms may be more severe.
A person with symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis should be evaluated by a healthcare provider right away.
People with bacterial forms of either disease require immediate medical attention as soon as symptoms appear.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis.
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University of Rochester Medical Center.Encephalitis and meningitis.
