Viral encephalitis differential diagnosis

Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]

Overview

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic or protozoal infestations, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death.

Differential diagnosis

Complete Differential Diagnosis of the Causes of Encephalitis

(By organ system)

Cardiovascular	No underlying causes
Chemical / poisoning	No underlying causes
Dermatologic	No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect	No underlying causes
Ear Nose Throat	No underlying causes
Endocrine	No underlying causes
Environmental	No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic	No underlying causes
Genetic	No underlying causes
Hematologic	No underlying causes
Iatrogenic	No underlying causes
Infectious Disease	Herpes Simplex, Cat Scratch Disease, Leptospirosis, Tick-borne diseases, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Toxoplasmosis
Musculoskeletal / Ortho	No underlying causes
Neurologic	Brain Abscess, Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, Meningitis, Status epilepticus, Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Nutritional / Metabolic	Hypoglycemia
Obstetric/Gynecologic	No underlying causes
Oncologic	No underlying causes
Opthalmologic	No underlying causes
Overdose / Toxicity	No underlying causes
Psychiatric	No underlying causes
Pulmonary	Tuberculosis
Renal / Electrolyte	No underlying causes
Rheum / Immune / Allergy	Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Sexual	No underlying causes
Trauma	No underlying causes
Urologic	No underlying causes
Miscellaneous	No underlying causes