Summary
- Pathological state of brain parenchymal dysfunction leading to an altered state of consciousness or focal neurological signs.
- Serious, complex, and potentially fatal disorder with non-infectious and infectious causes.
- Presents with acute onset of a febrile illness and altered mental status; typical features include headache, seizures, and focal neurological signs.
- Investigations should include blood cultures, neuroimaging (preferably MRI), and CSF analysis.
- Aciclovir should be given in all cases of suspected viral encephalitis.
- Complications include seizures, hydrocephalus, and neurological sequelae (e.g., behavioural disturbances, neuropsychiatric problems, and motor problems).
Other related conditions
- Alcohol abuse
- Animal bites
- Assessment of aphasia
- Assessment of traumatic brain injury, acute
- Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection
- Bacterial meningitis
- Blastomycosis
- Brucellosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Cytomegalovirus infection
- Ehrlichiosis
- Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
- Fungal meningitis
- Hand-foot-and-mouth disease
- Herpes simplex infection
- Herpes zoster infection
- Histoplasmosis
- HIV infection
- HIV-related opportunistic infections
- Hypertensive emergencies
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Influenza infection
- Insect bites and stings
- Ischaemic stroke
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Mumps
- Mycoplasma infection
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Rabies
- Rubella
- Sarcoidosis
- Status epilepticus
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
- Syphilis infection
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Toxoplasmosis
Last updated: Jul 27, 2012
