VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS

Course overview

VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS IS INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN PARENCHYMA CAUSED BY A VIRUS. IT IS THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF ENCEPHALITIS AND OFTEN COEXISTS WITH VIRAL MENINGITIS. VIRUSES INVADE THE HOST OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THEN REACH THE SPINAL CORD AND BRAIN VIA HEMATOGENOUS SPREAD OR IN A RETROGRADE MANNER FROM NERVE ENDINGS. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.