Differential Diagnosis of Powassan Virus

Holly Frost, MD, pediatrics physician scientist at the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, in Minocqua, Wisconsin, discusses the differential diagnosis of Powassan virus.

Interview Transcript (slightly modified for readability)

“For all patients who live in areas where the Ixodes scapularis tick is present, it’s important to consider things like Lyme, Anaplasma, Babesia, Ehrlichia, as well as some of the other Borrelia species.

In a patient who is presenting with neurologic symptoms or encephalitis, that differential diagnosis can be a lot broader. So, that can include things like West Nile virus, which is commonly found in areas that are endemic for Powassan [virus] and for Lyme disease.”