ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

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Viral encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain parenchyma resulting in neurological dysfunction caused by primary viral infection. It is the most common type of encephalitis and often coexists with viral meningitis. Viruses invade the host outside the central nervous system (SNC) and then reach the spinal cord and brain by hematogenous or retrograde way from the nerve endings.

There is also a secondary or postinfective "viral" encephalitis where brain inflammation is associated with a virus but is caused by an immuno-mediated reaction to the virus, a vaccine or another protein associated with viral infection. This type of autoimmune encephalitis as triggered by a virus or vaccine is not properly a viral encephalitis, although often the mime and can be confused with primary viral encephalitis. In the past, as a result of a viral infection, the associated autoimmune encephalitis was considered a relapse or a relapse of primary encephalitis, as in the case of choreatetosis, resulting in herpers simplex virus encephalitis or neurological complication of primary infection, such as in the case of acute encephalomylitis associated with varibocy, rosolia, parochtiva. The distinction between primary viral encephalitis and immuno-mediated encephalitis associated with a viral infection is crucial in the choice of treatment.

Viral encephalitis tends to be more common in young people than older people. However, the environment also plays a fundamental role. Many cases of viral encephalitis are not detected due to the lack of tests and mild symptoms. In addition, studies show that many patients develop high levels of antibodies against viruses but do not show symptoms.

Once in the brain, the virus and the host's inflammatory response interrupt neural function, leading to diseases and complications, many of which are often neurological, such as impaired motor skills and altered behavior.

Encephalytic viruses are typically transmitted from person to person or are viruses transmitted by arthropods, insects or arachnids like ticks. Young people and the elderly are at the highest risk of viral encephalitis. Many cases of viral encephalitis are not identified due to lack of testing or mild disease and serological investigations indicate that asymptomatic infections are common. There are various ways to prevent viral encephalitis, such as vaccines found in standard vaccination programs or which are recommended when you live or visit certain regions, and various measures to prevent mosquito bites, phlebotoms and ticks in order to prevent arbovirus infection.

Epidemiology
Viral encephalitis is a problem for public health worldwide because of its high morbidity and mortality. The in