Encephalitis is an inflammation of brain tissue caused by infectious agents (e.g. viruses, bacteria, fungi) or autoimmune processes (e.g. demyelinating diseases, rheumatologic diseases, paraneoplastic syndromes).

In our environment, the most frequent encephalitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Initial symptoms are usually nonspecific (e.g. fever, headache).

With the progression of the disease, other symptoms reflecting brain tissue damage (e.g. altered level of consciousness, epileptic seizures, language impairment, loss of strength or sensation) appear.