PAEDIATRIC ENCEPHALITIS & AES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW WITH A HOMOEOPATHIC ADVANTAGE

Abstract

Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) represent major paediatric neurological emergencies with high morbidity, particularly in tropical countries such as India. Viral pathogens—most commonly herpes simplex virus (HSV), enteroviruses, arboviruses (Japanese encephalitis), and post-infectious immune causes—constitute the major etiological categories. Early recognition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evaluation, neuroimaging, EEG studies, and prompt initiation of antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy remain central to improving outcomes. Homoeopathy demonstrates applicability across all stages of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome from acute symptom modulation to post-encephalitic recovery and population-level prophylaxis when integrated ethically with institutional medical care. Remedies such as Belladonna, Helleborus, Stramonium, Gelsemium, Apis mellifica, Cicuta, Hyoscyamus and others, referenced in authoritative classical materia medica, correspond closely with encephalitic states. Emerging adjunctive clinical studies suggest potential benefits in symptom modulation and recovery quality. This review synthesizes current conventional evidence while highlighting the scope of homoeopathic therapeutics in the recovery continuum of paediatric encephalitis.