Pathogen of viral encephalitis
The most important viruses here are also echo-, coxsackie- and polioviruses (=enteroviruses), the mumps virus, measles virus and flu virus (parainfluenza virus), TBE – virus and the group of herpes viruses. Especially for the herpes simplex virus (HSV), a quick diagnosis is life-saving. Herpes simplex encephalitis is the only absolute emergency among the viral meningoencephalitis.
The brain inflammation caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus is a rare but very severe form of viral encephalitis. Even with rapid therapy, half of those affected suffer permanent damage. The herpes simplex virus mainly enters the brain through body fluids via the nose and paranasal sinuses and leads to fever, confusion, loss of consciousness, epileptic seizures, among other things.
Therefore it is important to visit a clinic early. Here, if there is any suspicion, treatment with acyclovir, a drug that inhibits the herpes simplex virus, is already being administered. Early summer meningoencephalitis, or FSME for short, occurs mainly in Central Europe in forest areas, such as Bavaria, and is transmitted by ticks.
The TBE virus enters the blood after a tick bite and initially only flu-like symptoms and slight fever occur. Three weeks later, about 10% of all affected persons show further signs of the disease. These include encephalitis with loss of consciousness, headaches and speech disorders, but also paralysis of the arms or urinary bladder and an infestation of the liver, joints and heart muscle. Although there is no curative treatment option, only about 2% die of TBE. There is also a protective vaccination, which is highly recommended especially for people who spend a lot of time in the forest.
Duration of acute viral encephalitis
Some important forms of viral encephalitis or virus-induced inflammation of the central nervous system are mentioned here:
- Inflammation by the herpes virus (herpes simplex encephalitis)
- Infections with the varicella zoster virus (shingles)
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME)
- Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBV)
- Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV)
- Poliomyelitis acuta anterior
- Rabies (Rabies, Lyssa)
- HIV/AIDS
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