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Encephalitis Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Encephalitis is swelling of the brain tissue. This swelling may result in brain damage. Encephalitis is often caused by a germ. It may also happen if your body system breaks down and attacks the brain. People with weak immune systems are more likely to get encephalitis since they are not able to fight germs as well as a healthy person. ‚  
Most cases of encephalitis are mild and do not last long. Treatment includes close watching and supportive care. Other cases are more serious. You may need to have a breathing tube and a machine to help you breathe. You will be given fluids and may need to have a feeding tube. This will help you get the right nutrition to keep your body strong to fight germs. ‚  
Full healing may take a few weeks or longer. How well you will do after your illness is based on the kind of infection you had and how serious it was. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
  • Avoid making major decisions until you fully heal.
  • Your care at home will be based on any bad side effects from your illness.
    • You may need extra help moving around if you are having problems with your muscles.
    • You may need to write more things down or use other cues to help you remember if your memory is affected.
    • Talk to your doctor about tools to help you if you are having problems with seeing or hearing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have muscle weakness, your doctor may send you to a physical therapist. They may help you work on getting stronger. You may also work on balance and moving.
  • If you have memory loss or problems with speech, your doctor may send you to occupational or speech therapists. They can help you to get skills for everyday activities and help muscle control for speech.
  • Talk therapy may also help you. Then you can learn new skills to deal with changes in your behavior and how to handle any problems from your illness.

What drugs may be needed?


Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Fight an infection
  • Help prevent seizures
  • Lower swelling of the brain
  • Help ease irritation and unrest
  • Lower fever
  • Treat headache

Will physical activity be limited?


  • You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Slowly increase your activities as ordered by your doctor.
  • Ask your doctor when you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.

What problems could happen?


Long-lasting brain damage may happen in serious cases of encephalitis. You may have problems with: ‚  
  • Hearing
  • Memory
  • Muscle control and feeling
  • Speech and language
  • Eyesight
  • Behavior and personality

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Avoid contact with any person who has encephalitis.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Keep your pets shots up to date. This illness may be caused by the rabies virus.
  • Make sure you and your family has all of your shots as well. Many infections may cause encephalitis.
  • Protect yourself from bugs that can cause this illness.
    • Wear long sleeves and pants when you go outside.
    • Put insect repellent on any exposed parts of the skin. Do not put repellents on young children and infants. Spray clothing with an insect repellent.
    • Stay indoors or limit activities at night. This is the time when mosquitoes are more active.
    • Remove puddles of water in your yard where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
    • Fix holes or put screens on all windows and outside doors of your house.
    • Clear your yard of dead trees to remove insects that live in them.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs that the encephalitis may be getting worse. Go to the ER right away.
    • Seizures
    • Confusion
    • Muscle weakness or paralysis
    • Very bad headache
    • Problem waking up or staying awake
    • Changes in behavior
    • Problems with memory
  • Call your doctor for:
    • Signs of infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; chills; very bad sore throat; ear or sinus pain; cough; more sputum, or change in color of sputum; mouth sores.
    • Poor appetite and loss of energy
    • Not able to look at bright lights
    • Stiff neck and back
    • Throwing up more than 3 times in the next 48 hours
    • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse.

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
  • I can tell you what signs will make me think my condition is getting worse.

Where can I learn more?


National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚  
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/detail_encephalitis_meningitis.htm#174363083 ‚  
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚  
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/185/viewAbstract ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Encephalitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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