Encephalitis (cont.)

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Medical Author:

Todd Mundy, MD

Coauthor:

Mai Kim Lai, MD

Coauthor:

Steven H Silber, DO, FACEP

Medical Editor:

Michael D Burg, MD

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

James S Cohen, MD

Medical Treatment

Encephalitis is usually a viral illness, which means that antibiotics are not used to treat it. The only available vaccine for prevention is for Japanese encephalitis.

With the exception of herpes encephalitis, the mainstay of treatment is symptom relief. People with encephalitis are kept hydrated with IV fluids while monitoring for brain swelling. Anticonvulsants can be given for seizure control. Steroids have not been established as being effective.

Herpes encephalitis can cause rapid death if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Therefore, medication is usually started when the doctor suspects herpes to be the diagnosis without waiting for the confirmatory results. The recommended treatment is acyclovir (Zovirax) given by IV for 2-3 weeks. Acyclovir-resistant herpes encephalitis can be treated with foscarnet (Foscavir). Liver and kidney functions are monitored through the course of medication.