Herpes meningitis is a viral meningitis resulting from an infection with herpes virus. It can lead to swelling in head areas such as membranes surrounding your spinal cord and brain.
Meningitis is a term for inflammation of meninges. Viral meningitis is a type of meningitis that occurs from viral infection.
These meninges are a collection of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. They usually comprise of three layers and these are:
- The pia mater: This is delicate inner layer.
- The arachnoid: This is fluid-filled and web-like layer providing cushioning.
- The dura, or dura mater: This tough outer layer offers complete protection.
Read on to know about herpes meningitis (HM), including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Also know how this herpes viruses spreads from one person to the other.
What should you know about herpes meningitis?
Herpes meningitis occurs from an infection with herpes virus, such as herpes simplex virus or HSV. This is the second leading cause of viral meningitis in developed countries. You need to talk to your doctor in London for herpes testing and know if you have this infection.
The three types of herpes viruses leading to herpes meningitis include:
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1): This may be the reason for sores on the genitals or mouth though it most commonly affects your mouth.
Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2): This kind leads to sores on the mouth though they will likely to appear on the genitals.
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV): This kind may cause shingles and chickenpox.
HSV viruses may be the reason for recurrent lymphocytic meningitis or Mollaret’s meningitis. This recurrence of meningitis comprises of sporadic periods of meningitis lasting somewhere between 2–7 days.
How will it spread?
The viruses causing viral meningitis can spread from one person to the other with sneezes, coughs or contact with the surfaces contaminated with this virus.
Herpes viruses may transmit at the time of kissing or sexual contact. The viruses remain in the body of a person throughout their life and triggers lead to active outbreaks.
Can it pass on to your baby?
This virus may spread from a person having HSV infection to a baby at the time of childbirth. A baby who has contracted HSV will usually have the symptoms by the end of their first week of life.
Signs
Possible signs of HSV infection in babies are the following:
- blisters
- bleeding easily
- irritability
- blue coloration of the skin
- intermittent or labored breathing
- rapid breathing
- yellowing of the eyes and skin, called jaundice
Symptoms
Mild cases of HM can lead to flu-like symptoms. A person might suffer from persistent headache with one or more of the following:
- difficulty waking or sleepiness
- fever
- irritability
- lack of appetite
- lethargy
- nausea
- sensitivity to light, called photophobia
- stiff neck
- vomiting
People who suffer from mild cases of viral HM generally recover within 7–10 days. More severe cases for babies or people with weak immune system may require medical treatment with antiviral medications or hospital stay.
Diagnosis
The doctor begins with a diagnostic process by asking you about the symptoms and medical history. If he suspects viral meningitis, he may order to conduct these tests and confirm or detect viral infection:
- blood samples
- cerebrospinal fluid samples
- nasal or throat swabs
- stool samples
Treatment
Most mild cases usually resolve completely within 7-10 days without any medical treatment. The doctor might prescribe taking antiviral medications for the treatment of viral meningitis due to influenza or HSV.
People who suffer from extreme viral meningitis may need to undergo treatment in the hospital.
Complications
Certain cases of herpes meningitis may develop to herpes meningoencephalitis. This extreme neurological disorder consists of swelling of brain and meninges.
The treatment method for herpes meningoencephalitis is a combination of antiviral drugs and certain medications to lessen swelling of brain to prevent seizures. Most people will respond to the treatment within 1–2 days and recover completely within one month. Those who suffer from extreme cases are at greater risks of brain damage for a long term.
Without performing any treatment, herpes meningoencephalitis may cause serious complications, and this can even be deadly.
Prevention
The most effective way to avoid herpes meningitis is to take necessary steps for preventing any kind of infection. These steps are the following:
- do not kiss someone who has cold sores
- wear condoms to lessen direct exposure to genital sores
- abstain from any kind of sexual contact with a partner who has active outbreak of HSV
- wash hands properly
- clean and disinfectant surfaces that are contaminated with bacteria and virus
- restrict your sex partners to the ones who have tested negative for HSV
When to see a doctor
Treating herpes meningitis early may provide the best result. You need to see a doctor if you or your child has any of these symptoms:
- fever
- neck stiffness
- difficulty waking or sleepiness
- nausea and vomiting
- severe headache
- sensitivity to light
- trouble breathing
- unusual bleeding
When you have the symptoms of HSV infection, it is important to tell the doctor about it soon. Doing so will speed up your diagnostic process and allow to receive the treatment quickly.
Herpes meningitis is a kind of viral meningitis leading from some infection with a herpes virus. Three types of herpes virus may lead to HM and they are – herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2 and varicella-zoster virus. Meningitis involves swelling of meninges, these are membranes capturing your brain and spinal cord. The swelling causes persistent headache with other symptoms like fever, light sensitivity and neck stiffness.
Getting a herpes meningitis diagnosis may seem to be scary though you can be assured that most healthy adults can recover from this infection safely. Herpes meningitis cases seem to be mild and they resolve completely without medical treatment in one week. People who suffer from extreme cases of herpes meningitis may need hospitalization. But some cases progress to become meningoencephalitis which is severe neurological condition requiring immediate medical attention. You may visit a private sexual health clinic to test for herpes meningitis and perform the treatment on time.
