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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(1):p 27-29, Jan. March 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12126.4
Case Report
Unmasking the Mystery: A Case of Atypical Viral Encephalitis Presenting with Unusual Headache and Neurological Deterioration
Sagar V. Rati, Varun H.S, Prerana Arun, Santhosh N.S., Abha Verma, Suhas Rao, Muniraju M
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(1):p 27-29, Jan. March 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12126.4
How Cite This Article:
Sagar V. Rati, Varun H.S., Prerana Arun, et al. Unmasking the Mystery: A Case of Atypical Viral Encephalitis Presenting with Unusual Headache and Neurological Deterioration. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(1): 27-29.Timeline
Received : August 04, 2025
Accepted : October 06, 2025
Published : March 30, 2026
Abstract
Headaches are a common symptom encountered in clinical practice, yet they can sometimes obscure more serious underlying conditions. This case report describes the diagnostic journey of a 52-year-old male presenting with an atypical headache, followed by progressive neurological symptoms, and initially inconclusive investigations. The diagnosis of viral encephalitis was established through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, despite negative results for common viral pathogens. This case underscores the critical importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion and conducting a comprehensive work-up, even in the face of normal or negative initial diagnostic findings.
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
Whether all authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
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Cite this article
Sagar V. Rati, Varun H.S., Prerana Arun, et al. Unmasking the Mystery: A Case of Atypical Viral Encephalitis Presenting with Unusual Headache and Neurological Deterioration. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(1): 27-29.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| August 04, 2025 | October 06, 2025 | March 30, 2026 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12126.4
Keywords
Viral encephalitis •Atypical headacheCerebrospinal fluid analysisDiagnostic challengesNeurological declineCase reportInfectious diseaseSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | August 04, 2025 |
| Accepted | October 06, 2025 |
| Published | March 30, 2026 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
