How to Identify Symptoms of Viral Encephalitis
- 1). Watch for signs of fever that may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
- 2). Be alert for any signs of swelling or bulging on the soft spot of an infant's skull, which is a prime indicator of swelling in the cranial cavity.
- 3). Listen to any complaints of headache and stiff neck, accompanied by additional flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and general fatigue or lethargy.
- 4). Watch for signs of confusion in both toddlers and the elderly that may or may not be accompanied by difficulty speaking, signs of weakness or complaints of paralysis in an arm or leg.
- 5). Ask children or seniors if they are having difficult seeing or hearing. In some cases, symptoms of viral encephalitis include double vision and hearing loss.