How to prevent encephalitis

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

Updated on February 13, 2025

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Most cases of encephalitis are transmitted through close contact, such as children playing with toys together. It is possible for them to ingest viruses through their hands, which then enter the bloodstream from the stomach and attack the brain. Some cases of encephalitis are also transmitted through the respiratory tract, mainly through droplets.

Therefore, in order to prevent encephalitis, it is crucial to maintain hand hygiene, wash hands frequently, and avoid crowded places to prevent respiratory transmission. In addition, to prevent encephalitis, it is important to improve one's physical condition and exercise regularly, as a strong body is less susceptible to viral infections. Finally, it is essential to ensure adequate nutrition for encephalitis prevention, including sufficient daily intake of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, as well as vitamins C and folate, which are crucial for enhancing the body's resistance.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 12sec

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How to check for encephalitis?

To check for encephalitis, the main aspects of examination include the following. First, a complete blood count is necessary, which helps to determine if there is an increase in white blood cells and to assess the proportion of various types of white blood cells; this is a basic test. The second examination is an electroencephalogram (EEG), if the EEG shows abnormalities, it may suggest a diagnosis of encephalitis. The third examination involves cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If the encephalitis is severe, the MRI can reveal lesions, which also suggests a diagnosis of encephalitis. The fourth examination is invasive, involving a lumbar puncture. This test allows for the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, assessing whether there is an increase in white blood cells and proteins in the fluid, which plays an important role in the diagnosis of encephalitis. In summary, diagnosing encephalitis necessitates a complete blood count, cranial MRI, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, and a comprehensive EEG examination.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 8sec

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Can encephalitis be cured?

Encephalitis is divided into many types. If it is a simple herpes virus encephalitis infection, this is a rather dangerous type of encephalitis. Before the advent of antiviral drugs, the mortality rate of this type of encephalitis was very high. Now, with improvements in diagnostic and treatment levels and the development of antiviral drugs, the prognosis for this type of encephalitis is generally quite good. As long as the initial condition is not particularly severe, the patient is not in a coma, or there is no obvious continuous epileptic state, the prognosis is still good, and many patients do not have any residual sequelae. However, if the initial condition is quite severe, there is usually some degree of cognitive impairment or weakness in the limbs. Other viral encephalitides, such as those caused by Coxsackie viruses and adenoviruses, tend to have milder symptoms, mainly fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. These types of encephalitis can mostly be cured with appropriate symptomatic treatment and antiviral therapy.

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Written by Tang Li Li

Neurology

1min 7sec

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Is the blood count high in encephalitis?

Not all cases of encephalitis show an increase in blood counts. Elevated blood counts in encephalitis generally occur in bacterial infections, such as the most common pyogenic meningitis. This can cause a significant increase in blood counts, predominantly with neutrophils. Tuberculous meningitis can also show elevated blood counts, but not as prominently as pyogenic meningitis. In cases of viral infection, such as the common herpes simplex virus infection, patients might experience a decrease in blood counts. This is characterized by a reduction in the total number of white blood cells, a lower proportion of neutrophils, and a possible increase in lymphocyte proportion. If the patient has a concurrent lung infection or other bacterial infections at different sites, there might be an increase in blood counts, which can mask the blood abnormalities originally caused by the viral infection.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 13sec

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Pediatric Encephalitis Examination Items

Encephalitis in children is primarily due to a lowered immune resistance, which leads to infection by certain viruses. These viruses invade the nervous system, causing damage to neurons, resulting in symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Generally, the main tests for pediatric encephalitis include hematological tests related to bleeding, primarily involving routine blood tests, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These indices can reflect the inflammatory conditions inside the patient's body, helping to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections. Another very important auxiliary examination is the electroencephalogram (EEG), where pediatric encephalitis can show mild to moderate abnormalities, which is helpful for accurate diagnosis. The third examination involves performing a lumbar puncture to test the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the levels of white cells, glucose, and chloride, which are crucial for diagnosing encephalitis and differentiating it from other types of encephalitis.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

58sec

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How to prevent encephalitis

Most cases of encephalitis are transmitted through close contact, such as children playing with toys together. It is possible for them to ingest viruses through their hands, which then enter the bloodstream from the stomach and attack the brain. Some cases of encephalitis are also transmitted through the respiratory tract, mainly through droplets. Therefore, in order to prevent encephalitis, it is crucial to maintain hand hygiene, wash hands frequently, and avoid crowded places to prevent respiratory transmission. In addition, to prevent encephalitis, it is important to improve one's physical condition and exercise regularly, as a strong body is less susceptible to viral infections. Finally, it is essential to ensure adequate nutrition for encephalitis prevention, including sufficient daily intake of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, as well as vitamins C and folate, which are crucial for enhancing the body's resistance.