What Is Viral Encephalitis?
9. Diagnosis
To begin with, a doctor is likely to ask you about your symptoms and your medical history. They may also perform a brief physical examination. If encephalitis is suspected, then further tests will be needed to help confirm what the problem is. One method is a spinal tap, which means taking a sample of fluid from the spinal column.
Other methods of diagnosing encephalitis include CT scans or MRI images. These can help to look for problems like tumors, while also helping to identify swelling on the brain. An electroencephalogram may also be performed to help get a reading of the electrical activity in the brain. A small sample of the brain tissue may be taken in rare cases.
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