Powassan virus disease primarily causes which of the following?

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Multiple Choice

Powassan virus disease primarily causes which of the following?

Powassan virus disease is a neuroinvasive viral infection. It primarily causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, leading to neurological problems. People with Powassan encephalitis may start with fever and headache, but the defining and most serious aspect is central nervous system involvement—encephalitis or meningitis—with symptoms such as confusion, seizures, weakness, or other focal neurologic deficits. The other options describe symptoms that can occur with many infections or are not characteristic of this illness (fever/dehydration is nonspecific, muscle weakness can occur but isn’t the hallmark, and cardiomyopathy is not associated with Powassan). Transmission is tick-borne (Ixodes species) in certain regions, and management is supportive care.

Powassan virus disease is a neuroinvasive viral infection. It primarily causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, leading to neurological problems. People with Powassan encephalitis may start with fever and headache, but the defining and most serious aspect is central nervous system involvement—encephalitis or meningitis—with symptoms such as confusion, seizures, weakness, or other focal neurologic deficits. The other options describe symptoms that can occur with many infections or are not characteristic of this illness (fever/dehydration is nonspecific, muscle weakness can occur but isn’t the hallmark, and cardiomyopathy is not associated with Powassan). Transmission is tick-borne (Ixodes species) in certain regions, and management is supportive care.

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