Department of Neurology, Pochon CHA University, College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
ABSTRACT
Viral encephalitis is an infection of central nervous system by a wide range of viral agents. Clinical manifestations of viral encephalitis include fever, headache, altered consciousness, seizure, and focal or multifocal neurological deficits. Patients with rapidly progressive encephalitis should be admitted to the neuro-intensive care unit (NICU) for airway protection and mechanical ventilation, or control of increased intracranial pressure and seizure. The detection of virus by PCR may markedly facilitate the diagnosis of some viral encephalitis such as herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus, enterovirus etc., and probably will replace the need for brain biopsy. Treatment is largely supportive and acyclovir should be administered before detection of viral agents. Brain edema warrants ICP monitoring and aggressive management may increase the chance of survival. Outcome varies and depends on the type of viral agent, prompt diagnosis and treatment with appropriated antiviral agent.
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