St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus
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Key Points
- St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Encephalitis Virus
- Members of Flavivirus family
- Transmission
- Arthropod-borne: mosquitos
- Birds are natural reservoirs
- Presentation
- Flu-like illness: fever, malaise, cough, sore throat
- Meningoencephalitis
- Presents with fever, headache, altered mental status, and nuchal rigidity
- CSF with viral pattern
- Hyponatremia may be seen
- Flaccid paralysis may be seen
- Diagnosis
- PCR from CSF or blood
- Treatment
- Supportive