viral encephalitis contagious?

[greenbike]

Please can you give me some advice? I am about to get into a relationship with someone who is recoverign from viral encephalitis. Now is there any chance I could catch it? The person who I am about to date does not know what the cause of it was?


This discussion is related to Is Meningitis/encephalitis  Contiguous.

[greenbike]

Thanks for your reply.

So if my girlfriend is recovering from viral encephalitis how can I be sure I won't catch it? Is there anything I could ask her to find out if its possible that I could catch it?

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Viral encephalitis is not contagious in most cases enteroviruses can be spread from person to person but mostly causes no symptoms at all or mild respiratory or diarrhoeal illness.  Most cases are spread hand to hand or hand to mouth contact and frequent hand washing can reduce such infections. You could avoid contact with those who have infectious diseases causing meningitis. Herpes simplex virus type 2 and HIV are sexually transmitted. Vaccines are available for some viruses like polio, herpes B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies. Take care.

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