Q&A

Does HSV-2 cause aseptic meningitis?

Does HSV-2 cause aseptic meningitis?

Indeed HSV-2 has been implicated in recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis (including Mollaret’s meningitis), a syndrome characterised by spontaneous recovery after each of at least three episodes of aseptic meningitis.

Can HSV-2 cause meningitis?

Herpes viruses HSV encephalitis is mainly caused by HSV-1 (which is also the cause of most cold-sores), whereas meningitis is more often caused by HSV-2 (more often a cause of genital herpes). HSV viruses have been linked to Recurrent Lymphocytic Meningitis, also known as Mollaret’s meningitis.

What is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis?

Viral infection. Overall, viral infection is the most common form of aseptic meningitis, and enteroviruses are the most common viral cause. Enteroviruses are small, nonenveloped RNA viruses of the picornavirus family with various serotypes. More than 50 subtypes have been linked with meningitis.

How do they test for aseptic meningitis?

How is aseptic meningitis diagnosed? If your doctor suspects you have meningitis, they’ll order tests to determine whether you have aseptic meningitis or bacterial meningitis. In most cases, your doctor will perform a spinal tap. During a spinal tap your doctor will extract cerebrospinal fluid from your spine.

How common is HSV2 meningitis?

Among patients with primary genital herpes, 36% of women and 13% of men have been reported to develop meningitis as a complication. HSV-2 meningitis can also occur without any genital herpes symptoms.

What happens if HSV-2 is left untreated?

What happens if herpes is not treated? Herpes can be painful, but it generally does not cause serious health problems like other STDs can. Without treatment, you might continue to have regular outbreaks, or they could only happen rarely. Some people naturally stop getting outbreaks after a while.

Can viral meningitis last for months?

Chronic meningitis develops slowly, over weeks or longer, and may last for months to years. Rarely, chronic meningitis causes only mild symptoms and resolves on its own.

Does aseptic meningitis go away on its own?

Treatment options for aseptic meningitis vary according to its cause. Most adults and older children recover on their own within 2 weeks without any medical treatment.

What mimics viral meningitis?

The most common alternative etiologies that mimic viral meningitis are: erhlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Kawasaki disease, and Lyme meningitis. Other conditions sharing some of these symptoms are: drug-associated aseptic meningitis, central nervous system vasculitis, neoplastic diseases.

Which STD has no cure?

Viruses such as HIV, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, hepatitis, and cytomegalovirus cause STDs/STIs that cannot be cured. People with an STI caused by a virus will be infected for life and will always be at risk of infecting their sexual partners.