Symptoms

Most people with viral encephalitis have mild flu-like symptoms, such as:

• Headache
• Fever
• Aches in muscles or joints
• Fatigue or weakness

Sometimes the signs and symptoms are more severe, and might include:

• Confusion, agitation or hallucinations
• Seizures
• Loss of sensation or paralysis in certain areas of the face or body
• Muscle weakness
• Problems with speech or hearing
• Loss of consciousness (including coma)

In infants and young children, signs and symptoms might also include:

• Bulging in the soft spots (fontanels) of an infant's skull
• Nausea and vomiting
• Body stiffness
• Poor feeding or not waking for a feeding
• Irritability

When to see a doctor

Get immediate care if you are experiencing any of the more-severe symptoms associated with encephalitis. A severe headache, fever and altered consciousness require urgent care.

Infants and young children with any signs or symptoms of encephalitis should receive urgent care.