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

Herpes of the brain is a dangerous pathology of a viral nature, leading to the appearance of meningitis.

Most often, the disease occurs in young and childhood, proceeding in a severe form that requires urgent treatment. Inflammation of the meninges is accompanied by vivid symptoms.

Symptoms of herpes of the brain

Signs of the development of herpes in the brain:

• headache, which increases with the development of pathology;
• the occurrence of seizures that are not amenable to drug treatment;
• increase in body temperature up to 39-40°C;
• confusion;
• split in the eyes;
• pain when trying to move the eyeballs;
• weakness in the limbs;
• unsteady gait;
• hallucinations;
• memory losses.

With damage to the nerve trunks of the spinal cord, loss of sensation in the extremities may occur.

Reasons for the 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 of which is the presence of a chronic focus of infection, which 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 an important diagnostic value for the doctor;
• Analysis of blood and urine. With meningitis, normal ESR and white blood cell counts change.

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

• Antiviral. Influence the cause of the pathology. By suppressing the activity of herpes, they contribute to the restoration of the normal functioning of the immune system. Such drugs are also used to prevent relapse.
• Antipyretic. Allows you to bring down the high temperature, improving overall well-being.
• Nootropic. Contribute to the restoration of blood circulation in the brain, improve the state of the central nervous system.
• Anticonvulsants. They allow you to relax the muscles, eliminating their uncontrolled contraction.

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

Complications and consequences

Herpes in the brain can provoke dangerous consequences up to death. The prognosis for a timely approach to treatment is favorable. Complications that occur most often.

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

More often, children under 5 years of age, as well as elderly people (after 55), get sick. This is due to a decrease in immune resistance. The first category is characterized by the occurrence of primary infection, but in adults, the activation of the virus occurs, which has long been “sleeping” in the body.

Clinical picture

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

1. Diffuse: the whole brain or a large part of it is involved in the process. This course of 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, 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;
• the inability to normally control the movements of the body (see);
• unbearable headaches that are difficult to influence medications;
• appearance, delusional states, aggressiveness.

If the course of the disease is very severe, or in the case when treatment has not been carried out, the pathological process extends to the spinal cord. There are symptoms of the defeat of the latter.

The mechanism of development and causes of pathology.

Learn about the symptoms and: the consequences of the disease.

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

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

Chronic encephalitis

Chronic lesion is characterized by sluggish development of pathology. The disease can develop for months without making itself felt. The only symptoms that indicate a disease are a periodic increase in temperature to subfebrile condition (37-38 degrees), weight loss, weakness, and drowsiness.

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

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

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

Diagnostics

To make an accurate diagnosis, a series of examinations is carried out for 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 the moment of infection, tests of the cerebrospinal fluid or blood 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 huge risks, it is carried out extremely rarely.

Treatment of pathology

First of all, you need to get rid of the cause, that is, from the virus. For this purpose, Acyclovir is prescribed. In the first 5-7 days, large doses of the drug are administered in order 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 need 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 apparatus that produces artificial ventilation of the lungs;
• to prevent attacks of aggression and overexcitation, the patient is sedated with Relanium, Aminazin or similar means.

Learn about in children and newborns.

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

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Disease prognosis

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

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

Herpevirus is a DNA virus. About 80% of people are infected with this virus, which is manifested by 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, the elderly, 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 overall resistance of the body, which decreases during these periods.

The mechanism of the development of the disease

Scientists distinguish two ways of development of herpetic encephalitis:

• The first is primary infection. The herpevirus enters the mucous membrane of the nose or mouth, and, since it is tropic to the nervous tissue, it penetrates the axons of the smelling nerves, from where it spreads throughout the nervous system - to the nerve ganglia and the brain.
• The second is the activation of the virus. In carriers, due to a decrease in immunity (stress, injuries, malnutrition, diseases that cause immunodeficiency - tuberculosis, rheumatism, cancer, AIDS), the virus is activated and affects the tissues of the cerebral gyri, namely the lower part of the frontal lobe and temporal. Cell damage is accompanied by swelling, inflammation, and their death.

Symptoms

The common characteristic features are:

• transferred on the eve of acute respiratory infections with herpetic eruptions;
• an acute increase in body temperature up 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 virus DNA is a mandatory research method. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), it is easy and quick to identify the virus. Computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is also prescribed, which makes it possible to identify foci of tissue necrosis in the brain. The disadvantage of this study is that at the first stages of the disease there are no structural changes in the organ, they appear on the 4th-5th day of the disease.

A biopsy and a biopsy study 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 of the 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 of the 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 the development of this pathological condition includes newborns and the elderly. In addition, often herpes lesions of the brain are observed in those who suffer from immunodeficiency.

Symptoms of herpes of the brain

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

In the future, the patient observed the process of reactivation of the virus. Because of this, the body temperature rises sharply above + 39 ° C, and it is difficult to reduce it with medicines.

Both adults and young children have impairments of consciousness of varying severity.

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

• convulsions;
• disturbances in the sensitivity of certain 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 the appearance

The defeat of the herpes virus structures of the brain is rare. Contribute to the activation of the virus and the appearance of this pathology can:

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

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

Diagnosis and treatment

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

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

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

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

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

To stabilize the condition, detoxification therapy can be carried out. Medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms, including diuretics, anticonvulsants, and antipyretics.

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

Complications and rehabilitation

Brain herpes can have extremely adverse effects. In this pathological condition, neurological disorders may remain after the completion of the acute course of the disease. Common complications associated with this disease include:

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

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

Herpetic encephalitis

- extremely dangerous damage to the brain tissue by the herpes virus. In the absence of targeted treatment, death is observed in approximately 80% of cases. Timely seeking medical help is the prevention of 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, give up all bad habits.

The herpes virus is quite common. They infect about 85% of people living on the planet. True, in most cases, the virus is in the human body in an inactive state. Only when certain factors appear that can affect the decrease in the immune defense system, herpes becomes dangerous.

Causes of manifestation and symptoms

Basically, the herpes virus manifests itself in the form of wounds on the lips, mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, sometimes the oral cavity, as well as on the skin and in the genital area. His 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 an 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, from time to time (under favorable circumstances) manifesting itself.

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

Why there is an infection of the brain with the herpes virus is not exactly known. For its development, the presence of such factors is necessary:

1. Penetration of the herpes virus into the body, which is of 2 types: congenital (when the fetus becomes infected while still in the womb) and acquired (enters the body from the external environment through airborne, sexual and other ways).
2. Weakened immunity due to various reasons (due to age, due to a previous illness).

The herpes virus, getting into cells (including neurons), exists in them in an oppressed latent state. When the immune system is weakened, it begins to multiply actively and penetrates through 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. It is here that the death of brain cells and the inflammatory process are observed.

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, it is necessary to consult an experienced doctor.

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How is the treatment?

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

If the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to immediately begin therapy, since this disease is very dangerous for human life.

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

Treatment of herpes of the brain consists in the use of medications that are aimed at eliminating the infectious process and associated symptoms. First of all, appoint:

Additionally, a patient with a similar diagnosis is shown 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 coma significantly reduces the chances of recovery. Only 20-30% of people come out of a coma, a fatal outcome is possible. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the disease in time.

The 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 such a diagnosis, after undergoing a course of therapy, have the opportunity to lead a full-fledged lifestyle.

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

Brain damage very rarely resolves without complications. Any violation of its work and functionality leads to irreversible consequences.

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

1. Coma. It greatly complicates the treatment process. Often patients never come out of a coma.
2. Stopping breathing. If the patient is not urgently resuscitated, 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 work.
4. Mental disorders. It can be a nervous state, sleep disturbance, prolonged hallucinations, memory lapses.
5. Constant headache that is difficult to relieve.
6. General deterioration of health, weakness, apathy, loss of working capacity.
7. Complete or partial loss of hearing and vision.
8. Violation of the functions of speech.
9. Meningitis.
10. Deterioration or loss of motor activity, paralysis of the whole body or individual limbs.

The recovery of a person with herpetic encephalitis of the brain occurs depending on the severity of the disease.

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

There are factors that can affect the course of the disease, as well as provoke relapses:

• incorrect or untimely treatment;
• pregnancy;
• stress, mental exhaustion;
• persistent overwork of the body due to physical exertion;
• consumption of alcoholic beverages, 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 self-medicate.

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