Herpes Encephalitis Research Paper

514 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Herpes virus

Herpesviral encephalitis
Herpesviral encephalitis is encephalitis due to herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex encephalitis is a viral infection of the human central nervous system. It is estimated to affect at least 1 in 500,000 individuals per century and some studies suggest an incidence rate of 5.9 cases per 100,000 live births. The majority of cases of herpes encephalitis are caused by herpes simplex virus-1, the same virus that causes cold sores. 57% of American adults are infected with HSV-1, which is spread through droplets, casual contact, and sometimes sexual contact, though most infected people never have cold sores. About 10% of cases of herpes encephalitis are due to HSV-2, which is typically spread through sexual contact. About …show more content…

It is most often caused by Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) which is the same virus that causes common cold sores, though it can be caused by HSV – 2, which is the same virus that presents as genital herpes. Herpes encephalitis is the most common cause of sporadic fatal encephalitis worldwide. In nearly all cases of herpes encephalitis beyond the neonatal period, the etiologic agent is herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). In neonates, herpes encephalitis may be caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2. Immediate CNS invasion via the trigeminal nerve or olfactory tract following an episode of primary HSV-1 of the oropharynx; most patients with primary infection are younger than 18 years of age. CNS invasion after an episode of recurrent HSV-1 infection, which is believed to represent viral reactivation with subsequent spread
3. The most common symptoms of herpes encephalitis are fever, headache, and altered consciousness including memory loss. In children older than 3 month and adults, usually localized in the temporal and frontal lobes.
4. Herpes encephalitis is swelling of the brain due to the herpes simplex virus. A normal and healthy brain is a spongy organ made up of nerve and supportive tissue. It is the main control center for the body and is connected to the spinal cord.
5. When infected with herpes encephalitis, the

Show More
Related

  • Tay-Sachs Disease Research Paper

    2257 Words  | 5 Pages

    The abnormal accumulation of GM2 gangliosides in the neurons of the brain and spinal cord cause the neurons to slowly die, leading to the death of the individual. Infantile Tay-Sachs symptoms do not appear in the body until 3 to 6 months of age, but the destructive process had begun early in the pregnancy, leading to the general death around the age of 4. Juvenile Tay-Sachs symptoms begin to appear around 2 to 10 years of age, but despite the milder effects of the disease the destructive aspects of the disease have been at work since early on in the pregnancy, causing death to generally occur around the age of 15. Late Onset Tay-Sachs symptoms appear between adolescence and mid 30s, but does not have an average age of death. Due to the milder symptoms of the disease some individuals life expectancy may not be affected, but cases of Late Onset Tay-Sachs

    Read More

  • Herpes-simplex: Type 2

    490 Words  | 1 Pages

    and ears, and in the mouth and pharynx. The causative virus has been shown to be

    Read More

  • Overview of the Herpes Virus

    1256 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Medline Plus, the herpes simplex virus, also known as HSV, causes the infection known as Herpes. There are two types of HSV; there is Oral herpes that causes cold sores around the mouth or face and Oral herpes, or HSV 1, usually causes cold sores, however it is quite easy to transmit this disease to the genital area and can cause genital herpes. There is also HSV 2 and that is the usual cause of genital herpes, and like HSV 1, HSV 2 can infect the mouth. HSV 2 is also known as genital herpes and can affects the anal, buttocks or genital areas. This is a sexually transmitted disease, however there are other herpes infections that can affect the eyes, skin, or other parts of the body. Herpes can be dangerous in newborn babies or in individuals with weak immune systems.

    Read More

  • Rasmussens Encephalitis

    1181 Words  | 3 Pages

    research. All that was known is that Rasmussen’s encephalitis was a degenerative disease of the brain

    Read More

  • What Is The Informative Speech About Concussions

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to The Mayo Clinic, “the most common symptoms of a concussion are headache or pressure in the head, confusion or feeling foggy, appearing dazed, fatigue and delayed response to questions.”

    Read More

  • Alzheimer Case Study

    1431 Words  | 3 Pages

    develops when clumps of abnormal proteins grow in the brain. It grows and grows but at a slow pace , overtime they add up until the brain cells becomes damaged and die. If you are concerned that you or any family member might have some of the symptoms you should talk to your family doctor. The symptoms that you should pay attention to should be:

    Read More

  • Mumps Virus

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mumps is primarily a childhood disease, occurring most frequently between the ages of 5 to 9, although it was also known as a problem for soldiers during war because of the sanitary conditions and close proximity. For instance, in World War I only influenza and gonorrhea were more prevalent among the armies. It replicates inside the nose, throat, and regional lymph nodes. The virus incubates for about 14-18 days, and then a viremia occurs for about 3-5 days. During the viremia it can spread to the meninges, salivary glands, testes, ovaries and pancreas. Out of the infected population, 30 to 40% get swollen parotid salivary glands, with most of the rest being asymptomatic or having only respiratory problems. Around 60% of patients have asymptomatic meningitis, with up to 15% progressing to symptomatic. Encephalitis is also possible, occurring in around 5/100,000 cases. The encephalitis almost always results in some permanent hearing loss, and was historically the leading cause of hearing loss in children. Orchitis (testicular swelling) happens in up to 50% of post-pubertal males, with oophritis (ovarian swelling) happening in only 5% of women. Orchitis often results in testicular atrophy but very rarely in sterility.

    Read More

  • Blood Borne Pathogens and Disease Transmission

    989 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pathogens are a type of microorganism that spreads viral and bacterial diseases. These diseases when present in human blood and body fluids are known as blood borne pathogens, and can spread from one person to another. (Worcester polytechnic institute) The most serious types of blood borne diseases are the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause liver damage; and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which is responsible for causing AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The blood borne pathogens can be spread when the blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and amniotic fluid) of an infected individual comes into contact with mucous membranes or an open sore or cut on the skin of another person. Mucus membranes are located in the eyes, nose, mouth, and other areas as well. ("Bloodborne pathogens: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia") Two of the most common ways that pathogens are transmitted is through the exchange of fluids during sexual intercourse or by sharing infected IV needles. (Worcester polytechnic institute)

    Read More

  • Gambling With Genital Herpes

    1526 Words  | 4 Pages

    Young adolescents do not understand that genital herpes is highly contagious and can be passed without them knowing. There are two types of herpes viruses: “type-1 which usually causes cold sores on the lips and mouth, and type-2 which usually causes genital herpes (Wee 2).

    Read More

  • To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate?

    1456 Words  | 3 Pages

    Viruses can be transmitted in many ways. Being in contact with an infected person will most likely transfer the virus. One can also obtain the virus through swallowing, inhaling, and unsafe sex. Poor hygiene and eating habits usually increase the risk of catching a viral infection. Contracting a viral infection is followed by adverse s...

    Read More

  • Four Corners Virus: A Case Study

    982 Words  | 2 Pages

    HPS is an emerging virus that is transmitted to humans by coming in contact with a rodent that is infected with the virus. Once this virus is transmitted to humans it can cause two different types of clinical syndromes, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) (Kruger D., Schonrich G., Klempa B. 2011). When you are first infected with HPS it doesn’t cause your Dendritic cell (DC) to have a loss in function, however, it will initiate in your immune system. When you are infected the HPS it induces your DC to maturation then uses the DC to serve as a vehicle to migrate to the regional lymph nodes once the infected DC reach this area the immune response will be to release virus-specific antibodies and T cells according to Kruger D., Schonrich G., Klempa B.

    Read More

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs, a.k.a venereal diseases, infectious diseases passed from one person to another during sexual contact. STDs are the most common infections known. More than 12 million people in the United States, including 3 million teenagers, are infected with STDs every year. The United States has the highest STD rate in the world about one in ten Americans will contract an STD during his or her lifetime. People who do not know they are infected risk infecting their sexual partners and, in some cases, their unborn children. If left untreated, these diseases may cause pain or may destroy a woman's ability to have children. Some STDs can be cured with a single dose of antibiotics, but AIDS cannot be cured. Those most at risk for contracting STDs are people who have unprotected sex—without using a condom, people who have multiple partners, and people whose sex partners are drug users who share needles. Static’s show that Americans between the ages of 16 and 24 are most likely of catching STDs than older adults, because younger people usually have multiple sexual partners than an older person in a long-term relationship. Teenagers may be embarrassed to tell their sexual partners they are infected Teenagers may also be embarrassed or unable to seek medical attention for STDs. This means that they only more likely to pass the disease to other young people and have a greater risk of suffering the long-term consequences of untreated STDs. STDs are transmitted by infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and single-celled organisms called protozoa that live in warm, moist parts of the body, like the genital area, mouth, and throat. Most STDs are spread while having sex, but oral sex can also spread disease. Some STDs are passed from a mother to her child while pregnant, when the disease enters the baby's bloodstream, during childbirth as the baby passes through the birth canal, or after birth, when the baby drinks infected breast milk. AIDS can be transmitted by blood contact such as open wounds, between people who share infected needles or received through an injection of infected blood. Some people believe that STDs can be transmitted through shaking hands or other casual contact, or through contact with inanimate objects such as clothing or toilet seats, but they can’t. Chlamydeous, is from trachoma is bacterium, is the most commonly transmitted STD in the United States.

    Read More

  • Mononucleosis Essay

    1210 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mononucleosis is a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is a member of the herpes family. The herpes family also includes viruses that cause cold sores, chicken pox, genital herpes, and birth defects (7). Mono, short for mononucleosis (3) "gets its name from the fact that it causes a person's white blood cells to become distorted, so that they have only one nucleus (becoming mononuclear) instead of the usual divided nucleus.'; (3)

    Read More

  • Bacterial Meningitis Essay

    530 Words  | 2 Pages

    The most likely cause of the symptoms presented by her is bacteria meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is diagnosed by taking a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid found in the subarachnoid space near the spinal cord (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathes the spinal cord, provides it with nutrients and protects it from injury. If a needle were used in this test, it must pass between the L3 and L4 or L4 and L5 vertebra, which is considered safer, preventing a direct damage to the spinal cord (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). To reach the cerebrospinal fluid, the needle passes through the skin, the epidermis layer, subcutaneous tissues and fat, before passing through the supraspinous ligament (which connects the apices of the spinous processes together), and then the interspinous ligament (ligament between two vertebras), ligamentum flavum, epidural and veins, dura, subdural space, arachnoid layer and subarachnoid space,

    Read More

  • Meningitis Research Paper

    755 Words  | 2 Pages

    Meningitis is the infection of the meninges. It is caused most commonly by bacterial or viral infection, and may be caused by fungal infection, or parasite. Anyone can get this disease (Medline Plus). Infections and other things in the brain can cause inflammation in the brain and spine, and it is caused sometimes by complication in surgery (NIH). Some forms are contagious. Viral or aseptic meningitis

    Read More

More about Herpes Encephalitis Research Paper

Open Document