Q: Which doctor should I consult for encephalitis?
A: Encephalitis can be treated by a neurologist, primary care physicians, critical care specialists or infectious disease specialist, according to the cause and severity of symptoms.
Q: Is encephalitis contagious?
A: The cause of encephalitis, determines its ability to spread from one person to another. If it is caused by a virus or any other pathogen, it can be contagious. Encephalitis due to autoimmunity or chemical toxicity, is not contagious.
Q: What is the prognosis of encephalitis?
A: The prognosis of encephalitis depends on the cause of the disease, the severity of the condition, the age of the patient and the strength of the immune system.
Q: Can mosquito bites cause encephalitis?
A: Vectors like mosquitoes and ticks sometimes carry viruses and bacteria that can cause encephalitis. People who are bitten by infected mosquitoes develop the disease within a few days or up to two weeks after the bite.
Q: How does an MRI help in diagnosis of encephalitis?
A: An MRI uses magnetic field and radio waves to reveal images of the brain. It helps in detecting damage to brain tissue, inflammation, tumor, blood clots or changes related to seizure.
Q: What are the risk factors for encephalitis?
A: Being very young or very old, being in an environment where there is a higher risk of exposure to mosquitoes, not being vaccinated against common childhood infections like measles, mumps and rubella, having a compromised immune system and traveling to areas where viral encephalitis is endemic are a few risk factors for encephalitis.
