West nile virus physical examination
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
On physical examination, patients with WNV infection may have no specific signs. Physical examination findings may range from an isolated fever to signs of severe neurological impairment, meningeal irritation, stupor, and coma.
Physical exam
Most patients with WNV are asymptomatic or experience a mild disease that may often have no signs on physical examination.[1]
Vital signs
Skin
HEENT
- Papilledema
- Nystagmus
- Lymphadenopathy
- Non exudative pharyngeal erythema
Chest
- Ataxic or apneustic breathing
Abdomen
Neurologic
- Altered mental status
- Tremor
- Myoclonus
- Bradykinesia
- Rigidity
- Absent corneal reflex
- Absent gag reflex
- Memory loss
- Sensory loss
- Motor weakness
- Neck stiffness
- Positive Kernig and Brudzinski tests
- Hyperreflexia
- Positive Babinski reflex
References
- ↑ Sejvar JJ, Haddad MB, Tierney BC, Campbell GL, Marfin AA, Van Gerpen JA; et al. (2003). "Neurologic manifestations and outcome of West Nile virus infection". JAMA. 290 (4): 511–5. doi:10.1001/jama.290.4.511. PMID 12876094. Review in: ACP J Club. 2004 May-Jun;140(3):78