About encephalitis, herpes simplex

What is encephalitis, herpes simplex?

Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Common symptoms include headaches, fevers, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and/or general weakness. The disorder may have some symptoms similar to those associated with meningitis, such as a stiff neck, altered reflexes, confusion, and/or speech abnormalities. Skin lesions usually are not found in association with herpes simplex encephalitis. Herpes simplex encephalitis is caused by a virus known as herpes simplex virus (HSV).

What are the symptoms for encephalitis, herpes simplex?

Fevers symptom was found in the encephalitis, herpes simplex condition

The symptoms of encephalitis are usually sudden and severe.

They include:

  • Fever
  • Drowsiness, lethargy, and possibly coma
  • Headaches
  • Personality changes, irritability, or emotional outbursts
  • Confusion
  • Weakness in one or more areas of the body
  • Seizures
  • Bulging soft spots in infants

Seek medical attention right away if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.

What are the causes for encephalitis, herpes simplex?

Viral encephalitis may develop during or after infection with any of several viral illnesses including influenza, herpes simplex, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, chickenpox, and arbovirus infection including West Nile virus.

What are the treatments for encephalitis, herpes simplex?

Because complications from encephalitis can be serious, the condition requires hospitalization. Treatment will depend largely on your age and condition, as well as the form and cause of the disease.

If encephalitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with intravenous antibiotics. Treatment for herpes-related encephalitis includes supportive care, as well as intravenous antiviral therapy with a drug such as acyclovir. Other treatments may be used to lower fever, provide hydration, treat seizures if they develop, and reduce any pressure in the skull.

With proper care, most people recover from encephalitis. Infants and elderly people are at greater risk of permanent brain damage.

What are the risk factors for encephalitis, herpes simplex?

Being infected with any of several viral illnesses including influenza, herpes simplex, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, chickenpox, and arbovirus infection including West Nile virus.

Is there a cure/medications for encephalitis, herpes simplex?

Inflammation in the brain is a hallmark of the uncommon neurological condition known as encephalitis, herpes simplex (HSE) (encephalitis). Headaches, fevers, sleepiness, hyperactivity, and/or overall weakness are typical symptoms. Some signs of the disease, including a stiff neck, impaired reflexes, confusion, and/or speech difficulties, may be comparable to those of meningitis. Usually, herpes simplex encephalitis is not associated with skin lesions. A virus called the herpes simplex virus is what causes herpes simplex encephalitis (HSV).

Treatment

1. Herpes simplex encephalitis patients should be treated as soon as possible because doing so increases the effectiveness of available therapies.

2. Most people with herpes simplex encephalitis have had a marked improvement in symptoms after using the antiviral medication Zovirax (acyclovir). The company that makes it is GlaxoSmithKline.

3. Vidarabine is an additional antiviral medication that has been used to treat herpes simplex encephalitis. Those who are afflicted, however, may not benefit from antiviral therapy if their infection is advanced. As soon as herpes simplex encephalitis is detected, antiviral medication should be initiated.

4. Drugs that lessen, prevent, or suppress seizures may be used to treat the seizures that are frequently linked to herpes simplex encephalitis (anticonvulsants).

Symptoms
Headaches,Fevers,Drowsiness,Hyperactivity,General weakness
Conditions
Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
Drugs
NA

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