Encephalitis, Viral

Viral encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, caused by any one of a number of viruses. Symptoms include high fever, headache, sensitivity to light, stiff neck and back, vomiting, confusion and, in severe cases, seizures, paralysis and coma. Infants and elderly people are particularly at risk of severe illness. Arboviruses – viruses transmitted through insect bites – are among the most common causes of viral encephalitis, and include Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis viruses.