Is there a difference between viral and bacterial encephalitis?

Recently I heard that my friend’s child got encephalitis. I know that is some kind of brain viral infection bur somebody told me that bacteria also can cause it. Is it truth? Does anybody know something more about bacterial encephalitis? Tell me is there a difference between viral and bacterial encephalitis?

I can tell you that in very rare circumstances, encephalitis may be caused by bacterial or even fungal organisms. It most often develops in patients about two weeks after recovery from a viral illness. Of course, this kind of encephalitis needs different treatment then viral encephalitis. Sometimes it’s hard to diagnose this condition.