Question

7 yr old boy is brought to the emergency department due to fever, headache, vomiting, and confusion. He has no prior medical conditions and is up to date with immunizations. The patient has not traveled recently and his parents report no exposure to individuals with similar symptoms or ingestion of anything out of ordinary. They have recently noticed several dead birds around their neighborhood. Temp is 39. P/E shows neck rigidity and right lower extremity weakness with fasciculations. CSF shows leukocyte 200, with 80% lymphocytes. Pathogen?

Answer 1

The symptoms described in the question are consistent with viral meningitis, which is an infection of the meninges caused by viruses. It is usually less severe than bacterial meningitis and often resolves on its own without specific treatment. The patient's exposure to dead birds may suggest a viral infection transmitted by birds, such as West Nile virus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described in the question, including fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, neck rigidity, weakness, and fasciculations, along with CSF findings of leukocyte 200 with 80% lymphocytes, are consistent with viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, and is usually caused by viruses. It is typically less severe than bacterial meningitis and often resolves on its own without specific treatment. The patient's exposure to dead birds in their neighborhood may suggest a viral infection transmitted by birds, such as West Nile virus.