A 75-year-old female is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after having a seizure at her home. The woman's son reports she has not been acting normally. She complained of a severe headache and he noted a hand tremor and an unsteady gait. The past few days, she developed a high fever. Upon assessment by the medical team, the woman is not responding verbally. The nurse collects the patient's history from her son, which is notable for a recent camping trip in the woods.
-Multiple tests are performed,and the patient is diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis.What is the best initial treatment regimen?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best initial treatment regimen for Eastern Equine Encephalitis is supportive care, including hydration, antiepileptic drugs to control seizures, and antipyretics to reduce fever. There is no specific antiviral treatment for EEE, and medical coma or heart catheterization are not indicated in the management of this condition. Lumbar puncture, CT scan, and MRI may be performed for diagnostic purposes but are not part of the initial treatment regimen. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus infections and is not effective against EEE.

A 75-Year-Old Female Is Brought to the Emergency Department by Ambulance