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West Nile Virus (and Other Arbovirus Encephalitis), Pediatric

Jessica R. Newman, DO Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Viruses transmitted by an arthropod vector that can cause CNS infections, undifferentiated febrile illness, acute polyarthropathy, and hemorrhagic fevers

  • Most arboviral infections are...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • The diagnosis of arboviral infections of the CNS is difficult.

  • Characteristic epidemiology that suggests a specific etiology is an important part of the history.

  • The season of disease, ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • No specific antiviral therapy is available.

  • Supportive therapy including cardiorespiratory function, fluid and electrolyte balance, seizure control, and reduction of intracran...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Neurobehavioral follow-up should be considered in children with severe or complicated disease.

  • If WNV is diagnosed during pregnancy, detailed fet...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Beckham JD, Tyler KL. Arbovirus infections. Continuum (Minneap Minn).  2015;21(6, Neuroinfectious Disease):1599–1611. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Hayes EB. West Nile virus d...

CODES

ICD9

  • 066.40 West Nile Fever, unspecified

  • 066.41 West Nile Fever with encephalitis

  • 064 Viral encephalitis transmitted by other and unspecified arthropods

  • 062.2 Eastern equine encephalitis

  • 062.3 St. Lo...

FAQ

  • Q: Should testing for arboviruses, including WNV, be performed on all patients with encephalitis?

  • A: Diagnostic testing for arboviruses is not recommended for all patients with encephalitis. The pr...

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