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Encephalitis in children
Encephalitis can be very serious and even life-threatening in some cases. Call 999 immediately if you notice the following in your child:
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Drowsiness
- Headache and vomiting
- Seizures
If you’re worried your child has encephalitis but they’re not displaying the serious symptoms above, we can help. Our Urgent Care Centre for Children at The Portland Hospital is open every day from 8am-8pm (last appointment: 7pm).
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Encephalitis care for children at HCA UK
Why choose us?
The Portland Hospital, London, is the only hospital in the UK dedicated to the care of women and children. Our focus is always on putting our patients first, and our results speak for themselves with a commendation for our patient-centred care and compassionate staff from the Care Quality Commission.
With us, your child will have access to some of the UK’s leading paediatric doctors, working alongside experienced clinical support staff to provide personalised round-the-clock care. We also have state-of-the-art facilities that allow us to help even the most complex cases, including a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and a high dependency unit (HDU).
Encephalitis is a rare but serious condition in which the brain becomes swollen (inflamed). Unfortunately, children are particularly vulnerable to the condition.
Flu-like symptoms are often the first tell-tale sign. These can quickly become much more severe and even life-threatening. Your child may become confused and show other symptoms related to the brain and nervous system. We cover these symptoms in more detail in the section below.
There are two main types of encephalitis:
Infectious encephalitis
Infectious encephalitis is very rare and happens when a common infection reaches a child’s brain. Typical viruses known to trigger this include:
- Herpes simplex, which also cause cold sores
- Varicella zoster, which also causes chickenpox and shingles
- Rubella, measles and mumps viruses
Autoimmune encephalitis
This occurs when a child’s immune system stops functioning as it should and starts attacking their brain, causing it to react and become inflamed.
Rarer causes include bacterial or fungal infections caused by mosquitoes in Southeast Asia and ticks in Europe, Russia and parts of Asia. The risk in the UK is very low.
While encephalitis does not always have a clear cause, it cannot be caught from another person.
The symptoms can vary and depend on which type of encephalitis your child has.
Infectious encephalitis
This usually starts with milder flu-like symptoms, so your child may experience:
- A headache
- A high temperature
More serious symptoms can follow hours, days or even weeks later. These include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Light sensitivity
- Loss of consciousness
-
• Movement problems
• Neck stiffness
• SeizuresAutoimmune encephalitis
This is usually symptomless at first, but then your child may develop the following symptoms:
Confusion
• Disturbed sleep
• Hallucinations
• Memory loss
• Movement problems
• PsychosisWe understand that these symptoms can be frightening for both you and your child. It’s important that if your child does have any of the above symptoms that you call 999 straight away or take them to the nearest emergency department.
If your child’s symptoms are mild, then they may be safely treated at home. If the symptoms are more severe, then your child may need to be treated in hospital by our team of experts.
The consultant’s priority will be stabilising your child’s symptoms to make them as comfortable as possible. They may then order a blood test and scans to find out if they have encephalitis. You can find out more on the ways in which we diagnose and treat encephalitis in children in the sections below.
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Worried about your child but not sure what to do?
Get in touch with and book a same- or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
If you already have a referral letter for your child, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book a test or treatment directly.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
We’re happy to help. Just book in and one of our consultants will talk you through everything you need to know.
Encephalitis in children tests & scans at HCA UK
A diagnosis you can trust
With encephalitis, a quick diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial. As soon as we’ve made your child as comfortable as possible, they’ll have access to the UK’s most comprehensive private diagnostics network.
Our consultants may request one or more of the following to confirm a diagnosis of encephalitis:
- Viral and/or bacterial swabs
- Blood test
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Treating encephalitis in children at HCA UK
Urgent care for your child
Speed is of the essence when treating encephalitis. As soon as you have your diagnosis, we can offer you a fast track to treatment from some of the UK’s leading specialists.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team of experts, we’ll work out the cause and nature of their encephalitis and work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your child. Depending on the severity of your child's condition, they could be treated at home or cared for by our expert team at The Portland Hospital.
Treatments may include:
- Antiviral medication and antibiotics (for infectious encephalitis)
- Autoimmune medication (for autoimmune encephalitis)
- Painkillers to target your child’s fever
- Specialist medication to control your child’s fits
- Oxygen support to help your child’s breathing
Don’t have a referral? Don’t worry.
Our private GPs can refer your child to an appropriate consultant or for tests. You can often get a same- or next-day appointment, so get in touch today to see how we can help.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Your questions answered
FAQs
Meningitis and encephalitis can both be caused by infections reaching the brain, causing inflammation. With meningitis, the infection affects the fluid and membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord, whereas in encephalitis, the brain itself becomes inflamed.
While it is possible for the shingles virus to reach the brain and cause encephalitis, this serious condition is very rare.
Our team is ready to offer whatever support your child needs, from diagnostic tests to treatments and procedures. Our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at The Portland Hospital has nine beds, each providing Level 3 intensive care, which is the highest level of critical care offered.
The Portland is also home to the UK’s only private Paediatric Acute Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, where we treat children up to the age of 18, as both inpatients and outpatients. Our rehabilitation programmes are tailored to the needs of each child and include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, neuropsychology and speech and language therapy.
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Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
Bode's successful spinal surgery at just 14
Bode's (14) surgery fitted her with one titanium and one cobalt chrome rod on either side of her spine held in place by 18 screws. Comparing the before and after X-Rays, they managed to make her spine perfectly straight which Bode says, "was incredible.” She’s now reassuring other young patients with Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis.
Solving Alex’s undiagnosed heart condition
At the age of 12, dancer Alex Brookes began experiencing irregular heart palpations. After initially being told it was nothing to worry about, her symptoms persisted and her mum decided it was best to seek medical advice and chose The Portland Hospital.
“Me and my mum were overwhelmed with the level of care I received at The Portland Hospital.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.