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About 90% of cases of herpes encephalitis are caused by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), the same virus that causes cold sores. According to a 2006 estimate, 57% of American adults were infected with HSV-1, [3] which is spread through droplets, casual contact and sometimes sexual contact, though most infected people never have cold sores.
Viral encephalitis can occur either as a direct effect of an acute infection, or as one of the sequelae of a latent infection. The majority of viral cases of encephalitis have an unknown cause; however, the most common identifiable cause of viral encephalitis is from herpes simplex infection. [12]
For herpes simplex virus encephalitis, a CT scan may show low-density lesions in the temporal lobe. These lesions usually appear 3 to 5 days after the start of the infection. Japanese encephalitis often has distinct EEG patterns, including diffuse delta activity with spikes, diffuse continuous delta activity, and alpha coma activity.
Aciclovir acts by inhibiting viral DNA replication and is used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus infections, including: [3] [15] [16] Genital herpes simplex (treatment and prevention) Neonatal herpes simplex; Herpes simplex labialis ; Shingles; Acute chickenpox in immunocompromised patients
HSV-1 can lead to potentially fatal cases of herpes simplex encephalitis. [84] Herpes simplex viruses have also been studied in the central nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, but research has been conflicting and inconclusive. [85] Following a diagnosis of genital herpes simplex infection, patients may develop an episode of ...
Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus and cytomegalovirus have a specific antiviral therapy. For herpes the treatment of choice is aciclovir . [ 26 ] If encephalitis is suspected, empiric treatment with IV aciclovir is often warranted.