Epileptic seizures (or fits) may occur during encephalitis, or may develop weeks or even months or years afterwards.  Encephalitis has the effect of lowering the threshold needed to produce a seizure, making an attack more likely, and the amount by which it will be lowered varies according to the nature and extent of damage to the brain.  The body has its own in-built balancing mechanisms: damage to the brain may mean messages between nerve cells become scrambled.  When this happens the neurons (nerve cells) fire off faster than usual and in bursts and this disturbed activity triggers a seizure.

The types of seizures may be complex partial (also called focal, affecting one part of the brain only, and therefore only one part/half of the body), primary generalised (affecting both halves of the brain, and therefore the whole body, simultaneously) and secondary generalised (when the seizure may start as a partial seizure but then spreads to the rest of the brain, resulting in a secondary generalised tonic-clonic [“grand mal”] convulsion).  Partial seizures may take the form of prolonged absences or altered, confused behaviour with semi-purposeful actions. They may sometimes be difficult to diagnose. 

Epilepsy is treated with anticonvulsant drugs, of which there are several.  The aim of the drugs is to either prevent the spread of abnormal activity within the brain or to raise the threshold at which an attack may occur.  If anticonvulsant drugs have been prescribed, it is essential that they should be taken regularly not only to reduce the likelihood of an attack occurring, but also to prevent one happening as a result of sudden withdrawal of the drug.  Drugs can be successfully withdrawn in some people after they have had a period of years free of seizures.

Useful addresses

Epilepsy Action  
New Anstey House, Gate Way Drive, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7XY 
Tel 0113 210 8800  Fax 0113 391 0300  Helpline  0808 800 5050
www.epilepsy.org.uk

The National Society for Epilepsy   
Chesham Lane, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks  SL9 0RJ 
Tel 01 494 601 300   Fax 01 494 871 927  Helpline 01 494 601 400    
www.epilepsynse.org.uk

The David Lewis Centre 
Mill Lane, Warford, Nr Alderley Edge, Cheshire  SK9 7UD 
Tel 01 565 640 000 
www.davidlewis.org.uk

The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy 
St Pier’s Lane, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW 
Tel 01 342 832 243  Fax 01 342 834 639
www.ncype.org.uk

Last modified – 15/11/2006