COVID Disease — Neurologic Manifestations of COVID-19 — Clinical Pathway: All Settings

Active COVID-19, Clinical Pathway — All Settings

Neurologic Manifestations of COVID-19

The following neurologic complications have been reported in adults with COVID - it is not yet clear if findings are the same for children

  • Acute encephalopathy (altered mental status, lethargy/drowsiness, or agitation)
  • Headache
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Ataxia, balance, or coordination problems
  • Altered sense of smell (anosmia)
  • Altered sense of taste (dysgeusia)
  • Stroke
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Seizure
  • Sympathetic storming
  • Meningitis/encephalitis
  • Other focal neurologic deficits:
    • Visual impairment
    • Weakness or numbness

Note

Some symptoms (e.g. headache, dizziness) may be related to direct neurologic involvement of SARS-CoV-2 or to systemic illness.

Neurology consult, brain imaging, EEG monitoring and CSF studies should be considered per usual clinical standards including exclusion of alternative diagnoses.