Viral encephalitis history and symptoms

For patient information, click here Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Patients with encephalitis suffer from fever, headache and photophobia with weakness and seizures are also common. Less commonly, stiffness of the neck can occur with rare cases of patients also suffering from stiffness of the limbs, slowness in movement and clumsiness depending on which specific part of the brain is involved. The symptoms of encephalitis are caused by the brain's defense mechanisms activating to get rid of the infection. Another symptom of Encephalitis is hallucination.

History and symptoms

History

History of mosquito or tick bites or exposure to mouse/rat droppings. Additionally, history of animal bite and exposure to a bat to rule out rabies should be done.
Patients may have symptoms of a cold or stomach infection prior to symptoms onset.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

Acute confusion or decreased levels of consciousness.
Amnesia (short or long term)
Behavioral or personality change
Light sensitivity (Photophobia), neck stiffness, neck pain (suggesting meningeal irritation)
Seizure (Generalized or focal)
Headache
Lethargy
Vomiting
Decreased appetite
Clumsiness, unsteady gait

Less common symptoms

Flaccid paralysis
Backache

Virus specific symptoms

Varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, measles virus, or mumps virus

Rash, swelling of neck glands can be seen

Herpes simplex virus

- can be seen in neonates
- Herpes specific lesion in skin, eye and mouth
- Poor feeding
- Decreased alertness
- Seizures, Body stiffness
- Irritability and crying more often (these symptoms may get worse when the baby is picked up)
- Soft spot on the top of the head may bulge out more
- Vomiting

Toxoplasma virus

Common in immuno-compromised patients (common in HIV patients presenting with neurological manifestations)

St Louis encephalitis

Painful urination
Pus in urine

West Nile fever

Extreme lethargy