Complications of Encephalitis

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

Many people who have encephalitis make a full recovery but sometimes the brain has been permanently damaged (acquired brain injury) and this causes long-term effects that are very serious.

Some of the complications include:

problems with balance,
weakness in part or parts of the body,
loss of control of movement,
loss or sensitivity in the senses e.g. touch, taste, hearing, sight and smell,
slurred speech,
epileptic seizures (fits),
prolonged headache,
dizziness, and
nausea.

Other changes that may occur include:

fatigue,
mood swings,
depression,
feeling anxious, frustrated and angry,
feeling more emotional than usual or emotionally numb,
no motivation or enthusiasm,
memory problems e.g. not remembering events before your illness,
talking about events that have never happened and imagining or confusing facts,
forgetting that you have done something e.g. put the kettle on, and
finding it difficult to concentrate.

Following the illness a period of convalescence lasting weeks or months is needed allowing the brain some time to make recovery.