How to treat encephalitis when the cause cannot be determined
Disease description:
Recently, my young nephew had a persistent high fever and was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with encephalitis. However, the cause has not been identified. I would like to ask: how should encephalitis with an unknown cause be treated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Guan Yanlei
The treatment for encephalitis with an undetermined cause depends on the specific condition of the patient. For bacterial encephalitis, diagnosis typically relies on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) smear and culture to identify the causative bacteria, followed by selecting appropriate antibiotics based on drug sensitivity testing, thereby helping to reduce potential complications. In addition, symptomatic management is essential—such as controlling high fever, managing seizures, reducing intracranial pressure, and alleviating cerebral edema. Furthermore, corticosteroids may be used to decrease intracranial inflammation and prevent adhesions.
