Alanna G. Spiteri is a neurologist based in Sydney, NSW, Australia. She works with adults and children who have problems that affect the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves.
In many cases, people see a neurologist when symptoms don’t fit neatly into one other area. These can include strong headaches, confusion, fever with neck stiffness, new weakness, seizures, or sudden changes in behaviour. At times, it can also be about concerns after an infection, where the body’s reaction may involve the nervous system.
Dr Spiteri’s work includes serious infections such as encephalitis, meningitis, and West Nile virus infection. These conditions can be time-critical. That means getting the right tests and acting quickly can make a real difference, and care often needs to happen alongside other health teams.
Neurology for infections is not just about treating the illness. It’s also about watching how a person is going, checking their nervous system signs, and helping with follow-up after the acute stage. Some people recover well with early care, while others may have lingering effects. In those situations, clear planning and support matter, because recovery can take time and people’s needs can change week to week.
Day to day, Dr Spiteri focuses on careful assessment and practical next steps. That can mean reviewing symptoms, talking through what has happened so far, and explaining what different results might mean. It can also mean helping coordinate care when imaging, blood tests, or other investigations are needed, and making sure the neurological side of things stays on track.
Because encephalitis and meningitis can affect the brain and the way the body responds, management can involve urgent decisions, monitoring, and communication with families. In the middle of that, it helps to have a clinician who keeps things grounded and clear, and who understands how frightening these diagnoses can feel.
Dr Spiteri is a neurologist in Sydney and looks after patients who need support for nervous system infections, including encephalitis, West Nile virus infection, and meningitis. Her approach is calm and direct, with a focus on getting the right answers and supporting recovery in the months that can follow.
