What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis refers specifically to the inflammation of the brain. This condition can result from various causes, including viral infections, bacterial infections, autoimmune reactions, or even as a result of certain vaccines. The inflammation can lead to various neurological symptoms, such as headache, fever, confusion, seizures, and, in severe cases, brain damage. Recognizing encephalitis is important because prompt diagnosis and treatment can significantly affect outcomes for affected individuals.

While other options mention serious health issues, they are related to different organs or systems: infections of the lungs denote pneumonia, liver diseases can refer to hepatitis, and autoimmune disorders pertain to conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. However, none of these are directly related to encephalitis, which distinctly focuses on the brain's inflammation and associated symptoms.