Encephalitis: Acyclovir Toxicity or Varicella Zoster Virus?

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Authors

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

Description

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

• Acyclovir toxicity has similar symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion, AMS and dysphasia

• 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

5-9-2024

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine

Recommended Citation

Carline C, Hess D, Paratore D. Encephalitis: acyclovir toxicity or varicella zoster virus? Presented at Corewell Health Hospital Farmington Hills 2024 Alvin Yarrows Research Day; 2024 May 9; Farmington Hills, MI.

Comments

2024 Alvin Yarrows Research Day at Corewell Health Hospital Farmington Hills, Farmington Hills, MI, May 9, 2024.