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Are Meningitis, Encephalitis And Bell's Palsy Symptoms Of Genital Herpes?
Posted on
Fri, 7 Apr 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 7 Apr 2017
Answered on
Wed, 3 May 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I would honestly like to know why doctors do not tell patients who are diagnosed with Herpes of all the really scary complications that can come from having Herpes.? I mean when you are diagnosed with it...they tell you that you may have recurrent outbreaks throughout life...but they dont tell you about you could get Menengitis or Encephalitis or Bell's Palsy..How common are these things when someone has Herpes? Any information on this would be very much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Neurological complications are uncommon.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and I would try my best to help you.
I have noted your details and the query. Neurological complications mentioned by you are uncommon after a herpes infection. In most patients (85-90%), the herpes infection does not cause any symptoms and may not be even diagnosed.
In those with documented herpes infection, about 60-80% do not get any neurological complication. Aseptic meningitis can occur in about 10-15% of men and 35-40% of women. Encephalitis and Bell's palsy occur in lesser than 10% of people with herpes infection.
There is no way to predict who would get these complications and also there is no other intervention than giving acyclovir. However, people who are immunocompromised (HIV infection; on steroids; elderly, etc) have a higher risk of getting neurological complications.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Neurological complications are uncommon.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and I would try my best to help you.
I have noted your details and the query. Neurological complications mentioned by you are uncommon after a herpes infection. In most patients (85-90%), the herpes infection does not cause any symptoms and may not be even diagnosed.
In those with documented herpes infection, about 60-80% do not get any neurological complication. Aseptic meningitis can occur in about 10-15% of men and 35-40% of women. Encephalitis and Bell's palsy occur in lesser than 10% of people with herpes infection.
There is no way to predict who would get these complications and also there is no other intervention than giving acyclovir. However, people who are immunocompromised (HIV infection; on steroids; elderly, etc) have a higher risk of getting neurological complications.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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