Diseases and Conditions
Encephalitis
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment
Preparing for an appointment
Complications
The complications of encephalitis vary, depending on factors such as:
- Your age
- The cause of your infection
- The severity of your initial illness
- The time from disease onset to treatment
People with relatively mild illness usually recover within a few weeks with no long-term complications.
Complications of severe illness
Inflammation can injure the brain, possibly resulting in a coma or death.
Other complications — varying greatly in severity — may persist for months or be permanent. These complications can include:
- Persistent fatigue
- Weakness or lack of muscle coordination
- Personality changes
- Memory problems
- Paralysis
- Hearing or vision defects
- Speech impairments