Encephalitis

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Neurology Clinical reference

Encephalitis

Encephalitis is inflammation of brain parenchyma. Causes: HSV (most common — treatable), autoimmune (anti-NMDAR), arboviral. Presents with altered mental status, fever, seizures.

encephalitis viral encephalitis HSV encephalitis autoimmune encephalitis anti-NMDAR encephalitis
Terms
2
ICD-10
8
Evidence
1
Trials
0
Latest evidence

Latest evidence

Core official overview

What this condition is

What is encephalitis? Encephalitis is inflammation (swelling) of the brain. It can happen when an infection or medical condition that affects the brain activates your immune system. The inflammation can cause a wide range of symptoms. In extreme cases, it can lead to brain damage, stroke, or even death.What causes encephalitis?There are different types of encephalitis, based on what the cause is. The two main types…

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Condition family & coding

Terms and documentation support

Condition matches & synonyms

Terms

Related diagnostic names, synonyms, and documentation wording that may appear in clinical references and charting.

Encephalitis Herpes encephalitis

ICD-10 quick links

Codes

For study support, terminology recognition, and documentation language.

A86 Unspecified viral encephalitis A85.8 Other specified viral encephalitis B94.1 Sequelae of viral encephalitis A83.8 Other mosquito-borne viral encephalitis A83.9 Mosquito-borne viral encephalitis, unspecified A84.89 Other tick-borne viral encephalitis A84.9 Tick-borne viral encephalitis, unspecified A85.2 Arthropod-borne viral encephalitis, unspecified
Common tests

Tests performed

MRI brain (temporal lobe — HSV) LP (CSF: PCR for HSV/VZV/enterovirus) EEG (periodic lateralizing discharges — HSV) Anti-NMDAR antibodies CBC BMP
Common medications

Recognize the drug and the class

Acyclovir IV × 14-21 days (HSV empirically) Autoimmune: Methylprednisolone + IVIG + PLEX Tumor removal (paraneoplastic) Seizure management
Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA diagnoses & care plans

Use these direct links to open nursing diagnoses and care-plan support related to Encephalitis.

Decreased Intracranial Adaptive Capacity Risk for Injury Impaired Memory Acute Confusion Hyperthermia
Official education links

Plain-language study support

Useful for plain-language reinforcement and quick review.

Encephalitis What is encephalitis? Encephalitis is inflammation (swelling) of the brain. It can happen when an infection or medical condition that affects the brain activates your immune system. The inflammation can cause a wide range of symptoms. In extreme cases, it can lead to brain damage, stroke, or even death.What causes encephalitis?There are different types of encephalitis, based on what the cause is. The two main types… Meningitis Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can cause stroke, hearing… Brain Diseases Your brain is the control center of your body. It controls your thoughts, memory, speech, and movement. It regulates the function of many organs. It's part of your nervous system, which also includes your spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The nervous system sends signals between your brain and the rest of the body. Your nerves take in information from your senses and send it to the brain to be processed. Your brain… Cerebral Palsy What is cerebral palsy (CP)?Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurologic disorders that cause problems with movement, balance, and posture. The first part of the name, cerebral, means having to do with the brain. The second part, palsy, means weakness or problems with using the muscles.CP can range from mild to severe. The brain damage and the disabilities it causes are permanent. But treatments can improve the live…