Herpetic encephalitis: causes and treatment. What is herpes encephalitis and how to treat it - a complete clinical picture of herpes brain Herpes brain how is it transmitted

Herpes brain is a dangerous viral pathology that leads to meningitis.

Most often, the disease occurs in young people and children, occurring in a severe form that requires immediate treatment measures. Inflammation of the meninges is accompanied by vivid symptoms.

Symptoms of herpes brain

Signs of herpes development in the brain:

• headache, which intensifies as the pathology develops;
• the occurrence of seizures that are not amenable to drug treatment;
• increase in body temperature to 39-40°C;
• confusion;
• double vision;
• pain when trying to move the eyeballs;
• weakness in the limbs;
• unsteady gait;
• hallucinations;
• memory losses.

When the nerve trunks of the spinal cord are damaged, loss of sensation in the limbs may occur.

Reasons for appearance

The process of reactivation of the herpes virus can provoke a weakened immune system. The main provoking factor in the development of the disease is HSV-1, which penetrates the human body. The herpes simplex virus is activated only under favorable conditions, the main one being the presence of a chronic focus of infection that undermines the functioning of the immune system.

Diagnosis and treatment

It is difficult to differentiate the disease from other CNS lesions. For these purposes, the following types of research are used:

• PCR. Allows you to identify the herpes virus by determining its DNA. This method is considered the most reliable;
• MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging shows the slightest structural changes in the brain, which is also of great diagnostic importance for the doctor;
• Blood and urine analysis. With meningitis, the normal values ​​of ESR and leukocytes change.

Therapy for young children and newborns requires urgent hospitalization, as the disease can lead to serious consequences. Drugs used for treatment:

• Antiviral. They influence the cause of the pathology. By suppressing the activity of herpes, they help restore normal functioning of the immune system. Such drugs are also used to prevent relapse.
• Antipyretic. Allows you to reduce high fever, improving overall well-being.
• Nootropic. Helps restore blood circulation in the brain and improve the condition of the central nervous system.
• Anticonvulsants. They allow you to relax your muscles, eliminating their uncontrolled contraction.

At the rehabilitation stage, B vitamins are often prescribed to improve the condition of the nervous system. During treatment, it is important to provide the patient with peace and absence of harsh sounds. If swelling and rash occur, antihistamines and diuretics are additionally prescribed.

Complications and consequences

Herpes in the brain can cause dangerous consequences, including death. The prognosis with a timely approach to treatment is favorable. Complications that occur most often.

Herpes brain is a disease that occurs as a result of penetration of the herpes virus under the meninges. In most cases, brain damage is caused by the form that causes rashes on the lips; in 5% of cases it causes genital herpes.

Children under 5 years of age, as well as older people (after 55), are most often affected. This is due to a decrease in immune resistance. The first category is characterized by the occurrence of a primary infection, but in adults there is activation of a virus that has been “sleeping” in the body for a long time.

Clinical picture

Symptoms of herpes brain begin to appear against the background of other diseases: external herpes, pharyngitis, stomatitis and other respiratory lesions. The clinical picture begins acutely. The medulla quickly swells and becomes inflamed, cells die and areas of necrosis form. Damage to brain tissue is of various types:

1. Diffuse: the entire brain or a large area of ​​it is involved in the process. This pathology is typical for young children.
2. Focal: a limited part of the brain is affected.

The pathological process involves gray and white matter. Often the inflammation spreads to the cerebral cortex.

The main symptoms of herpetic encephalitis:

• fever with a significant increase in temperature, sometimes up to 41 degrees;
• Jacksonian seizures - convulsive muscle contractions that begin on one side, but soon cover the entire body;
• nausea, vomiting that does not bring relief;
• paralysis and paresis;
• inability to normally control body movements (see);
• unbearable headaches that are difficult to respond to medications;
• the appearance of delusional states, aggressiveness.

If the course of the disease is very severe, or in the case where no treatment has been carried out, the pathological process spreads to the spinal cord. Symptoms of damage to the latter appear.

The mechanism of development and causes of pathology.

Learn about the symptoms and consequences of the disease.

Symptoms of brain herpes in young children are more severe than in adult patients. Often in the first phase, depression of consciousness quickly occurs, the child falls into a state from which it is difficult to get him out. The negative impact of infection on the brain manifests itself in the form of convulsions of the whole body, up to opisthotonus.

Seizures are very difficult to stop. And even if the child can be brought back to consciousness, there is a high risk of developing problems with written and spoken speech, and some motor skills may be lost. In such patients, memory almost always suffers, especially short-term memory.

Chronic encephalitis

Chronic damage is characterized by sluggish development of pathology. The disease can develop for months without making itself felt. The only symptoms that indicate the disease are periodic increases in temperature to low-grade fever (37-38 degrees), weight loss, weakness, and drowsiness.

The asthenic state is manifested by quickly onset fatigue, headaches, and decreased performance. After approximately 6–8 months, the clinical picture begins to develop and the following symptoms appear:

• muscle dystonia – too much tension or, conversely, hypotonicity;
• transient paralysis, which is often localized only on one part of the body;
• short-term seizures;
• differences in reflexes on different sides of the body.

Unlike the acute course, chronic encephalitis does not cause disturbances in the consciousness and psyche of a person. Exceptions are advanced cases when there is deep damage to brain tissue.

Diagnostics

To make an accurate diagnosis, a series of examinations are performed on the patient. To exclude traumatic or oncological causes, the following methods are used:

• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• rheoencephalography;
• CT scan.

If more than 10 days have passed since infection, cerebrospinal fluid or blood tests are prescribed, which reveal an increase in the titer of antibodies to the herpes virus. Sometimes doctors prescribe a biopsy of the affected area of ​​the brain. But since this method is associated with enormous risks, it is performed extremely rarely.

Treatment of pathology

First of all, you need to get rid of the cause, that is, the virus. For this purpose, Acyclovir is prescribed. In the first 5-7 days, large doses of the drug are administered to quickly suppress the activity of the virus, then a maintenance dosage is prescribed to prevent relapses. In addition, antiviral drugs such as Cycloferon or the like are used for treatment.

All patients require symptomatic therapy:

• to relieve swelling of the medulla, diuretics (Lasix, Furosemide, Mannitol) and glucocorticosteroid drugs (Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone) are prescribed;
• in case of problems with respiratory function, the patient is transferred to a special device that performs artificial ventilation of the lungs;
• To prevent attacks of aggression and overexcitation, the patient is sedated using Relanium, Aminazine or similar agents.

Learn about in children and newborns.

Read what it leads to: symptoms and treatment, complications of pathology.

All about: symptoms, treatment and complications. How do children become infected with meningococcus?

Disease prognosis

Herpes brain is an extremely dangerous pathology that leads to serious consequences and death. The disease is especially difficult for young children and the elderly. To avoid complications, you need to be careful about your health and consult a doctor on time. In the case of herpetic encephalitis, treatment started at the onset of the disease is the key to successful recovery.

Herpetic encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the white and gray matter of the head caused by the herpes simplex virus types 1, 2. Among the various forms of encephalitis, herpetic encephalitis is the most common and severe, both in its course and in treatment.

Herpevirus is a DNA virus. About 80% of people are infected with this virus, which manifests itself as papular rashes on the mucous membranes of the lips, nose, eyes, genitals and skin. But, in some cases, more often in people with reduced immunity, herpes affects the brain surface. Children, old people, people with immunodeficiencies are at risk.

The incidence may also be seasonal.. Researchers note that in spring and autumn, the incidence of gray matter herpes increases, which is associated with the body’s overall resistance, which decreases during these periods.

Mechanism of disease development

Scientists identify two ways of developing herpetic encephalitis:

• The first is primary infection. The herpevirus enters the mucous membrane of the nose or mouth, and, since it is tropic for nervous tissue, penetrates the axons of the smelling nerves, from where it spreads throughout the nervous system - into the nerve ganglia and the brain.
• The second is the activation of the virus. In carriers, due to decreased immunity (stress, trauma, poor nutrition, diseases that cause immunodeficiency - tuberculosis, rheumatism, cancer, AIDS), the virus becomes active and affects the tissue of the cerebral convolutions, namely the lower part of the frontal lobe and the temporal lobe. Cell damage is accompanied by swelling, inflammation, and cell death.

Symptoms

Common characteristic features are:

• acute respiratory infection with herpetic rashes suffered the day before;
• acute increase in body temperature to 39 degrees and above, which is difficult to treat;
• disturbances of consciousness of varying severity - from general lethargy to coma;
• convulsions of the whole body or parts of it.

All other symptoms are purely individual, as they depend on which area is affected.

It can be:

• various paresis;
• speech disorders;
• auditory or visual hallucinations;
• confusion;
• epileptic seizures;
• violation of autonomic functions, up to cardiac arrest;
• headache.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of herpetic encephalitis can be made on the basis of clinical data in combination with laboratory and instrumental studies.

Spinal puncture and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for viral DNA is a mandatory research method. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), identifying the virus is simple and quick. Computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is also prescribed, which allows identifying foci of tissue necrosis in the brain. The disadvantage of this study is that in the first stages of the disease there are no structural changes in the organ; they appear on the 4-5th day of the disease.

A biopsy and examination of the biopsy sample for the presence of a virus are quite informative, but due to the traumatic nature of the method and the high risk of complications, it is rarely used.

Herpes brain is an extremely dangerous pathology, characterized by inflammation of the gray and white matter as a result of tissue damage by the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. This disease is acute and is accompanied by disorders that are extremely difficult to correct in the future.

Herpes brain is an extremely dangerous pathology, characterized by inflammation of the gray and white matter as a result of tissue damage by the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.

A special risk group for developing this pathological condition includes newborn children and the elderly. In addition, herpes brain damage is often observed in those who suffer from immunodeficiency.

Symptoms of herpes brain

Herpetic tissue damage manifests itself with acute symptoms. After suffering an acute period of herpes, accompanied by rashes, the pathology does not enter a latent period. The latent course of herpes brain lesions can be observed from 2 to 20 days.

Subsequently, the patient experiences a process of virus reactivation. Because of this, the body temperature rises sharply above +39°C, and it is difficult to reduce it with medications.

Both adults and young children experience disturbances of consciousness of varying severity.

If the course is unfavorable, coma is possible. In addition, the following signs of damage to the brain and spinal cord may appear:

• convulsions;
• disturbances in the sensitivity of individual parts of the body;
• visual and auditory hallucinations;
• epileptic seizures;
• Strong headache;
• unsteadiness of gait;
• memory loss;
• increased sweating;
• excited state;
• vegetative disorders.

Depending on the form and severity of damage to the nerve trunks by herpes, the duration of the increase in acute symptoms can vary from several days to a week or more. The patient's condition becomes extremely serious.

Reasons for appearance

Damage to brain structures by the herpes virus is rare. The following can contribute to the activation of the virus and the appearance of this pathology:

• reduced immunity due to AIDS;
• exhaustion;
• severe vitamin deficiency;
• hypothermia;
• tuberculosis;
• rheumatism.

The influence of these unfavorable factors causes a decrease in immunity. The body's defense mechanisms cannot suppress the virus. Once it enters the human body, herpes can no longer be completely eliminated, but if the immune system is in a normal state, the virus remains latent.

Diagnosis and treatment

The characteristic clinical picture and data from instrumental and laboratory examinations allow an accurate diagnosis. To determine the problem, the following are assigned:

• cerebrospinal fluid puncture;
• biopsy;
• general and biochemical blood tests.

Therapy should be carried out in a hospital setting. The patient requires intensive drug treatment. First of all, antiviral drugs are prescribed, including:

• Gerpevir;
• Acyclovir (more details);
• Virolex;
• Zovirax (more details).

The form and dosage of these medications are prescribed by the doctor individually. Among other things, immunomodulatory drugs, corticosteroids and interferons are prescribed to correct the functioning of the immune system.

To stabilize the condition, detoxification therapy can be performed. Medicines may be prescribed to help manage symptoms, including diuretics, anticonvulsants and antipyretics.

In most cases, the prognosis depends on the timely start of treatment.

Complications and rehabilitation

Brain herpes can have extremely adverse consequences. In this pathological condition, neurological disorders may remain after the completion of the acute course of the disease. Complications that often occur with this disease include:

• migraine;
• meningitis;
• decreased mental activity;
• muscle weakness;
• partial memory loss;
• visual, speech and hearing impairments;
• attacks of dizziness;
• epilepsy;
• various mental disorders.

If rehabilitation is not carried out properly, these complications may persist for the rest of your life. If, after eliminating acute symptoms, a person is forced to work and is mentally overtired, takes alcohol or is exposed to other unfavorable factors, the consequences of the viral damage to brain tissue may become more pronounced.

Herpetic encephalitis

– extremely dangerous damage to brain tissue by the herpes virus. In the absence of targeted treatment, death occurs in approximately 80% of cases. Timely seeking medical help prevents the development of severe complications that will persist for a long time. To reduce the risk of encephalitis caused by herpes, it is necessary to maintain a high level of immunity: eat right, exercise regularly, and give up all bad habits.

The herpes virus is quite common. About 85% of people living on the planet are infected with it. True, in most cases, the virus is in an inactive state in the human body. Only when certain factors appear that can affect the decrease in the immune defense system does herpes become dangerous.

Causes and symptoms

Basically, the herpes virus manifests itself in the form of wounds on the lips, mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, sometimes the mouth, as well as on the skin and genital area. Its treatment does not cause any particular difficulties, since it does not take much time and effort. It is enough to apply a special ointment or gel to the affected area for 2-3 weeks, and soon there will be no trace of the unpleasant disease.

Sometimes, to achieve the desired effect, it is necessary to take antiviral drugs orally for some time. But herpes cannot be completely cured.

It remains in the human body forever, manifesting itself from time to time (in the presence of favorable circumstances).

Its most dangerous manifestation is herpetic encephalitis of the brain. This infectious disease is caused by a simple herpes virus (type 1 or 2), which provokes an inflammatory process. Most often, herpes brain occurs in people with weak immune systems. The risk group is most often children (under 6 years old) and elderly people (after 55 years old).

It is not known exactly why the brain becomes infected with the herpes virus. For its development, the following factors must be present:

1. Penetration of the herpes virus into the body, which comes in two types: congenital (when the fetus is infected in the womb) and acquired (enters the body from the external environment through airborne droplets, sexual intercourse and other routes).
2. Weakening of the immune system due to one reason or another (due to age, due to a previous illness).

The herpes virus, entering cells (including neurons), exists in them in an oppressed latent state. When the immune system is weakened, it begins to actively multiply and penetrates the nerve fibers into the brain, provoking an inflammatory process in it - encephalitis.

Often herpetic encephalitis is localized in the temporal and frontal parts of the brain. This is where the death of brain cells and the inflammatory process occur.

The most characteristic symptoms for this disease are:

The occurrence of such symptoms may also indicate the presence of other diseases of the central nervous system. In any case, you should consult an experienced doctor.

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How does the treatment work?

To carry out adequate treatment, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis. To do this, the patient must undergo a series of examinations:

If the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to begin therapy immediately, since this disease is very life-threatening.

Treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting. There is a risk of sudden respiratory arrest, as well as a high probability that the patient may fall into a comatose state. In such cases, resuscitation is carried out.

Treatment of herpes brain involves the use of medications that are aimed at eliminating the infectious process and accompanying symptoms. First of all, prescribe:

Additionally, a patient with a similar diagnosis is advised to undergo strict bed rest, proper nutrition, and plenty of fluids. If he cannot consume food and water on his own, he is prescribed internal administration of drugs that can relieve exhaustion and dehydration.

The course of treatment lasts from 5 days to 2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the disease and the general condition of the patient. A comatose state significantly reduces the chances of recovery. Only 20-30% of people recover from a coma, and death is possible. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the disease in time.

Danger of the disease and possible complications

Herpetic encephalitis of the brain is a very serious and dangerous disease. Full recovery after it occurs quite rarely - only about 25% of people with this diagnosis after undergoing a course of therapy are able to lead a full life.

Most patients die before they even begin treatment, since the disease comes unexpectedly and develops rapidly. But this does not mean that with such a disease the obligatory outcome is death. Early detection and proper specialized treatment can save the patient both life and health.

Brain damage very rarely goes away without complications. Any violation of its operation and functionality leads to irreversible consequences.

Herpes infection causes an inflammatory process that can lead to pathological conditions in humans:

1. Coma. It significantly complicates the treatment process. Often patients never come out of a coma.
2. Stopping breathing. If the patient is not resuscitated immediately, he may die.
3. Mental deviation. Damage to the brain is accompanied by the destruction of its cells, which leads to a deterioration in its functioning.
4. Mental disorders. This could be a nervous state, sleep disturbances, prolonged hallucinations, or memory loss.
5. Constant headache that is difficult to relieve.
6. General deterioration of health, weakness, apathy, loss of performance.
7. Complete or partial loss of hearing and vision.
8. Speech dysfunction.
9. Meningitis.
10. Deterioration or loss of motor activity, paralysis of the entire body or individual limbs.

Recovery of a person suffering from herpetic encephalitis of the brain occurs depending on the severity of the disease.

In mild forms, the prognosis is often favorable, and the course of therapy lasts no more than a month. Treatment of advanced stages and severe forms lasts for years.

There are factors that can affect the course of the disease and also provoke relapses:

• incorrect or untimely treatment;
• pregnancy;
• stress, mental exhaustion;
• persistent overwork of the body due to physical activity;
• consumption of alcoholic beverages and junk food.

In any case, herpetic encephalitis of the brain is not a death sentence. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment under the supervision of an experienced specialist give positive results. The main thing is not to panic and not to self-medicate.

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