Encephalitis

• Encephalitis 


  Inflammation of the brain tissue
• Cause of encephalitis 


  viruses – West Nile (caused by mosquitoes), infectious mononucleosis, Herpes Simplex virus (cold sore, fever blisters)
• S/S of encephalitis 


  general malaise, fever, N/V, ataxia (lack of muscle coordination), hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body), confusion, headache
• Dx for encephalitis 


  CT, MRI, Lumbar puncture (yellow colored CSF), EEG,
• Comp from encephalitis 


  increased ICP, herniation, personality changes, seizures, cognitive disabilities, blindness