5 Interesting Facts of Encephalitis
- Symptoms are flulike and may progressively worsen
- Classically presents as encephalopathy with diffuse or focal neurologic symptoms
- May involve headache, fever, confusion, unsteady gait, stiff neck and back, and photophobia; severe cases may involve muscle weakness, paralysis, memory loss, sudden impaired judgment, or poor responsiveness
- Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis are indicated when CT or MRI excludes presence of a space-occupying lesion or other diagnosis. Specific findings vary depending on causative pathogen
- Differentiated based on history, physical examination, and abnormal findings on lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis
