Viral infections can have long-lasting immunological and neurological fingerprints, or so-called virial fingerprints. These effects are seen in behavioral changes, cognitive impairments and neurological disorders. This review provides a synthesis of the present state of the art focused on current evidence for how viruses interfere with the central nervous system (CNS) in terms of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, neuro-inflammation, neurotransmitter imbalances and vascular dysfunction. It also covers the clinical manifestations of brain fog, anxiety, and migraine and focus on management strategies for post-viral syndromes.