What is encephalitis
Encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain. The most common cause is a viral infection, such as herpes simplex virus and West Nile virus. Encephalitis can also occur in people with inflammatory disorders from an autoimmune disease like lupus. Bacterial and fungal infections can also lead to encephalitis. While the germs that cause encephalitis can be passed from one person to the next, encephalitis itself is not contagious.
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