What is childhood Encephalitis?

Encephalitis is a term many may be unfamiliar with, unless they, or a family member, are affected by the condition.

It is inflammation or swelling of the brain which is estimated to affect over 6,000 a year in the UK. Whilst this article focuses on childhood encephalitis, it can affect anyone of any age.

What causes Encephalitis?

Encephalitis can be caused by either an infection (infectious encephalitis) or through the body’s own immune system becoming confused and attacking the brain (autoimmune encephalitis or post-infectious encephalitis). The most common cause of infectious encephalitis is a virus such as herpes simplex which causes cold sores, chicken pox or the flu).

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What Encephalitis symptoms may my child display?

Symptoms generally begin with flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, and a loss of appetite and energy. These can quickly develop into more serious symptoms including a severe headache, nausea and vomiting, a stiff neck, disorientation, seizures, speech or hearing problems, hallucinations, drowsiness and coma.

With babies and very young children, it can be hard to detect many of these symptoms. If your baby or very young child is crying for prolonged period or the crying worsens when picked up or handled, has body stiffness or a full or bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on a babies head), these could be an indication of encephalitis.

To correctly diagnose encephalitis, blood tests, a lumbar puncture, EEG and CT or MRI scans will be carried out, and if infectious encephalitis is suspected, anti-viral medication and antibiotics are used to treat the condition. For autoimmune encephalitis treatment includes steroids, intraveneous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange.

Recovery after encephalitis

Each child is affected to a varying degree by encephalitis – some will make a good recovery whilst others will experience long term effects of the condition, including brain injury. The long-term after effects can include:

Physical issues which affect mobility and balance issues;
Epilepsy;
Cognitive issues affecting memory, concentration, behaviour, and speech and language.

Rehabilitation

A range of professionals will be engaged in your child’s rehabilitation, to help them regain skills they may have lost due to encephalitis or to develop strategies to assist the child, and their family, to manage the long term effects of the condition. This could include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and neuropsychologists.

Education

If your child is left with long term difficulties as a result of encephalitis, they may need additional help at school. An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can be requested which will ensure their needs are met and they have additional help and support where needed, to help them reach their potential at school. Further information about education can be found in our Special Educational Needs section.

Concerns about treatment

If you have a concern about your child’s treatment for encephalitis, such as a delay in diagnosis or treatment, you may wish to consider speaking to a clinical negligence solicitor. Brain Injury Group’s member solicitors are experienced in dealing with childhood encephalitis and are happy to have a free, no obligation chat with you regarding your child’s individual circumstances to see if there is any support they can give to you.

What additional support is available?

A number of charities exist to support and further educate people about this condition, such as the Eden Dora Trust for Children with Encephalitis and The Encephalitis Society.

The Eden Dora Trust is the UK’s only charity dedicated solely to children who suffer with Encephalitis and support children in hospital as well as after discharge. The can help with advice on different forms of rehabilitation and to provide families with one to one support. The also hold study days and fund training workshops for families, teachers and healthcare professionals to educate about Encephalitis. If your child has received a diagnosis of Encephalitis and you would like further information and support, find their full details in the Eden Dora Trust Brain Injury Group directory listing

Contact Brain Injury Group member solicitors

You can find details of your closest Brain Injury Group member solicitor firm on our website, by calling us on 0330 311 2541, emailing enquiries@braininjurygroup.co.uk or via live chat on our website.

About the author

Tim Jones is a Legal Director at Enable Law. Enable Law have offices in London, Southampton and throughout the South West.

Tim specialises in handling cases involving catastrophic injury compensation claims, including claims brought under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. He devotes time to helping clients and their families through the complex legal process of making a claim. Helping them access rehabilitation and other services that will improve their life following injury.