COVID-19-Induced Encephalopathy: A Case Report

While COVID-19 is known to cause common neurological manifestations such as loss of taste and smell, headaches, and myalgias, rare and severe neurological complications can also occur. We describe the hospitalization of a middle-aged Caucasian woman who presented with altered mental status and an absence of moderate-severe pulmonary symptoms. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced a tonic-clonic seizure six days after admission. Diagnostic testing, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, blood cultures, urine cultures, brain imaging, and electroencephalograms were unremarkable, indicating a global encephalopathic state. This case highlights the need for clinicians to anticipate neurological complications when managing patients with COVID-19, especially when respiratory symptoms are minimal or absent. Moreover, further research on COVID-19-induced encephalopathy is crucial to improve patient outcomes and inform clinical practice.