Encephalitis is a general term that means inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis can occur two different ways: from direct infection of the brain, or from a previous infection that causes your immune system to attack your brain. Direct infection can be caused by many different agents, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This article will explore only viral causes of encephalitis. The symptoms of viral encephalitis include fever, chills, headache, altered mental status (confusion, delirium, and agitation), stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, seizures, coma (unconsciousness), and death. Viral brain infections are rarely as serious as other kinds of encephalitis.

One of the great contributions Chinese medicine offers the West is the availability of herbs and herbal formulas that directly attack viral heat toxins causing the common cold, influenza, upper respiratory infections, and common pediatric diseases. Here, Western medicine is at a total loss, offering at best bed rest and fluids, and at worse, antibiotics. A number of Chinese herbal products exist to treat viral infections. The clinician chooses a product based on stage of the infection, location, and severity. In traditional Chinese medicine, viral infections are divided between attack of heat toxin, or heat toxin sitting and brewing, that is, latent heat toxins that have become symptomatic as the wei qi weakens. Continue to learn Chinese medicine Treatment for Raynaud's Disease.