A 28-year-old male asked about a 22-year-old female:
Can adults with genital herpes develop encephalitis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Fromowitzanswered
21 years experience
Possible: This is unlikely, and would be in high risk patients (i.e. Those that are immunosuppressed).
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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Unlikely: There is a definite association between herpes simplex type 2 and recurrent (mollaret's) meningitis, but encephalitis would be very unusual in an immune competent host. On the other hand, genital herpes can be due to type 1, and that can certainly, but uncommonly, produce meningitis, encephalitis or meningoencephalitis unpredictably.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Related questions
A 22-year-old member asked:
Are antiviral medications successful in fighting herpes induced encephalitis?
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Yes: Antiviral medications such as Acyclovir or gancyclovir can be successful in treating herpes encephalitis, especially if started early in the illness. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 21-year-old member asked:
Is herpes encephalitis contagious?
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Not really: Herpes virus types 1 and 2 are contagious, mainly by direct contact with an infected person's sores. A never-infected person, without protective antib... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 41-year-old member asked:
What kind of precautions for herpes encephalitis?
Dr. William Bettsanswered
35 years experience
Keep risk low: Once a person has herpes labialis they are susceptible to herpes encephalitis should their immune system fail. Hiv infection compromises the immune s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
How often do babies infected with herpes died of encephalitis?
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
85% if untreated: According to recent cdc citations, 85% of neonatal herpes cases die if untreated. Survival with treatment is possible but the incidence of permanent l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Could my baby(6 months old)get infected of herpes encephalitis from her cousin( 4 months old) only to with her?
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Transmitted at birth: It is most likely the 4m cousin acquired the germ from her mother during direct contact during labor or delivery. The germ transfers to baby & sets up... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated May 11, 2013
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