Encephalitis: Acyclovir Toxicity or Varicella Zoster Virus?

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Authors

Christine Carline, Beaumont Health Resident
David Hess, Beaumont Health
Diane Paratore, Beaumont Health

Description

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis can cause headache, vomiting, fever, altered mental status (AMS), ataxia, visual hallucinations and seizures1

▪ Acyclovir toxicity has similar symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion, AMS and dysphasia2 .

▪ Therefore, it can be difficult to distinguish acyclovir toxicity from VZV encephalitis.

▪We will discuss a patient with symptoms concerning for these diagnoses.

Publication Date

5-4-2023

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine

Recommended Citation

Carline C, Hess D, Paratore D. Encephalitis: acyclovir toxicity or varicella zoster virus? Presented at Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills 2023 Alvin Yarrows Research Day; 2023 May 4; Farmington Hills, MI.

Comments

2023 Alvin Yarrows Research Day at Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills, Farmington Hills, MI, May 4, 2023.