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 |