[Pathophysiology of Influenza Encephalopathy]

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection that can cause influenza encephalopathy through a systemic inflammatory response mediated by the host immune system. This condition does not involve direct viral invasion of the brain and its pathogenesis is primarily driven by dysregulated host immune and inflammatory responses, including excessive cytokine production, leading to blood-brain barrier disruption, severe cerebral edema, and microcirculatory disturbances. Influenza encephalopathy is a multifactorial disorder to which metabolic factors and genetic predispositions may also contribute, highlighting the need to establish early diagnostic markers and develop effective therapeutic strategies.