Herpetic meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, the meninges, caused by the herpes virus.
Despite being a viral meningitis, this type of meningitis is very serious, especially because it mainly affects people with a weakened immune system, which puts lives at risk, as it can quickly spread to different regions of the nervous system.
Therefore, whenever meningitis is suspected, especially in a person with a compromised immune system, it is very important to go to the hospital to confirm the diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of herpetic meningitis appear approximately 3 to 10 days after the appearance of lesions caused by herpes, and are:
- High fever;
- Strong headache;
- Hallucinations;
- Mood changes and aggressiveness;
- Seizures;
- Difficulty moving the neck;
- Loss of consciousness;
- Sensitivity to light.
If these symptoms are present, you should go to the medical emergency room to prevent the infection from continuing to develop and reaching other parts of the nervous system, causing serious neurological problems.
Online symptom test
To find out the chances of having meningitis, please select the symptoms you present:
This test is only a guidance tool and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with an infectious disease specialist, neurologist or general practitioner.
How to confirm the diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis of herpetic meningitis, the ideal is to consult a neurologist, however, you can also consult a general practitioner or pediatrician, who will refer you to neurology if considered necessary.
The diagnosis is initially made based on the evaluation of symptoms, and then the doctor may order tests that confirm meningitis, such as neurological exams, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and blood tests.
The doctor may also order a lumbar puncture, in which a sample of spinal fluid is removed through a needle and taken for analysis to check for the presence of the virus. Learn more about how a lumbar puncture is performed.
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How transmission happens
Herpetic meningitis affects individuals who have the herpes virus and who have a weakened immune system, such as in cases of AIDS, treatment for cancer and lupus, and is transmitted through contact with an infected person in the same way that occurs with herpes.
Therefore, to prevent herpes, you should avoid kissing people who have mouth sores caused by this virus and use a condom during intimate relations. Additionally, pregnant women who have genital herpes should prefer to deliver by cesarean section to avoid transmitting it to the baby.
To better understand this disease, see what meningitis is and how to protect yourself.
How the treatment is carried out
After confirmation of herpetic meningitis, treatment is carried out using medications that combat the virus, such as Acyclovir, which is normally given directly into the vein for 10 to 21 days, but in babies the duration of treatment may be longer.
In addition, medications may also be used to reduce swelling in the brain and to prevent seizures, requiring hospitalization.
See what other remedies can be used to treat viral meningitis.
Possible complications
In general, if appropriate treatment is started early on, the patient shows signs of improvement after 2 days and fully recovers in about 1 month.
However, in some cases serious consequences may occur, such as difficulties moving and thinking properly, or problems with vision, hearing or speech. Furthermore, when treatment is not carried out, this disease can lead to death.
Check out what kind of consequences can arise after a case of meningitis.
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