Herpes Meningitis

Herpes meningitis is a viral infection that causes the inflammation of the meninges. What causes it? What are the symptoms?

The herpes virus may attack any time of the year. Herpes simplex meningitis is usually mild but associated with encephalitis, the mortality rate can be high.

• the dura mater
• the arachnoid mater
• the pia materM/li>

This is the soft tissue membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord underneath the skull and spinal column.

Usually the symptoms are mild. They may include:

• headache, fever or just a general feeling of being ill
• Anyone who have these symptoms usually recover without medical treatment.

More serious symptoms include:

• nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, sore throat, abdominal pain, muscle pain, an aversion to bright ligts, altered consciousness.

• In some rare cases this condition can become life-threatening or cause long-term after effects.

A person may have all or just some of these symptoms and they may occur in any order.

Cause of Herpes Simplex Meningitis

Herpes family viruses: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, and human herpesvirus 6 are common causes of herpes meningitis with HSV-2 being the most common cause.

• HSV-1 remains the most common cause of sporadic encephalitis, while HSV-2 infections of CNS mostly are restricted to aseptic meningitis.
• HSV-2 genital infection may precede meningitis; sexual contact with actively infected individuals is one of the known risk factors.
• Childhood or adult chickenpox infections by VZV rarely are complicated by meningitis. Adult zoster involving any dermatome may lead to meningitis or meningoencephalitis.

Aciclovir

• Early treatment with acyclovir can significantly reduce morbidity.

• For herpes simplex meningitis/encephalitis, early treatment has proved to be very beneficial. For that reason, antiviral agents are often given immediately until the cause of the meningitis symptoms has been determined.

Herpes meningitis is a form of viral meningitis that displays much the same symptoms as other forms of meningitis. For that resean, in order to get the proper treatment for herpes simplex meningitis it is necessary to get appropriate tests done.

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