Helpful tips

Can you get meningitis from herpes?

Can you get meningitis from herpes?

Herpes viruses HSVs can cause meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain itself, which is much more serious). HSV encephalitis is mainly caused by HSV-1 (which is also the cause of most cold-sores), whereas meningitis is more often caused by HSV-2 (more often a cause of genital herpes).

Can herpes zoster cause meningitis?

Frequently, reactivation results in the painful dermatomal rash of herpes zoster, but in sporadic cases, it can cause meningitis or encephalitis in the immunocompromised population.

Can herpes cause aseptic meningitis?

Aseptic meningitis is not an uncommon complication to primary genital herpes infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Compared with other types of viral meningitis, HSV-2-meningitis is associated with a significant rate of neurological complications in the acute stage.

Can herpes affect the brain?

The herpes virus typically travels through a nerve to the skin, where it causes a cold sore. In rare cases, however, the virus travels to the brain. This form of encephalitis usually affects the temporal lobe, the part of the brain that controls memory and speech.

Does herpes make tired?

The first time a herpes infection develops; some of the symptoms may affect your whole body. You may run a fever and feel tired and run down. Later you may notice tender lymph nodes and a generally ill feeling. You may notice a tingling, itching or soreness, or a swelling in your outer genitals.

Is there a connection between shingles and meningitis?

Shingles or cutaneous herpes zoster (HZ) is commonly seen in the elderly or in immunocompromised patients due to reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV). Rarely can it spread to the central nervous system (CNS) leading to meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, vasculitis or mixed forms.

Can viral meningitis cause long term problems?

Most people make a full recovery from meningitis, but it can sometimes cause serious long-term problems and can be life threatening.

What are the long-term side effects of meningitis?

Long-Term Effects of Meningitis

  • Fatigue.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Headaches3.
  • Depression.
  • Photophobia (discomfort when looking at light)
  • Dizziness and impaired balance and coordination1.
  • Behavioral, learning, memory, or intellectual deficits4.