Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTransmissionDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionComplicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Transmission
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Complications
Frequently Asked Questions
While herpes meningitis often clears up on its own without medical treatment, it can sometimes lead to severe illness, particularly for babies and people who haveweakened immune systems.
This article provides an overview of symptoms and treatment options for herpes meningitis as well as tips on preventing viral meningitis.
eternalcreative / Getty Images
The term “herpes” is often used to describe the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections that cause cold sores or genital sores and usually has anegative stigmaassociated with it. It’s important to note that herpes viruses are actually very common because they’re easily spread through various forms of person-to-person contact.
What Causes Herpes Meningitis?
A person may develop herpes meningitis if they’ve contracted a herpes virus, including:
The viruses that cause herpes meningitis enter the body through your skin, where they can travel through the central nervous system (CNS) and potentially cause problems in other parts of the body, like the tissues surrounding the CNS.
Once a herpes virus is in your system, it’s possible to get herpes meningitis at any time. That’s because the virus stays in your body for life and goes through periods of inactivity (in which there are no symptoms) and flare-ups (when symptoms are present).
How Common Is Herpes Meningitis?
Herpes Meningitis Symptoms
Symptoms of mild cases of herpes meningitis are similar to those of the flu or otherviral infections. The most common symptoms are headache, fever, and stiff neck.
Other symptoms include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderAnyone experiencing symptoms of a potential herpes meningitis infection—such as a constant headache, unexplained fever, and neck pain—should contact a healthcare provider or seek medical care as soon as possible. This is particularly important for babies and people with weakened immune systems.While forms of viral meningitis like herpes meningitis are not usually life-threatening, they can potentially become serious if not properly diagnosed and treated early.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Anyone experiencing symptoms of a potential herpes meningitis infection—such as a constant headache, unexplained fever, and neck pain—should contact a healthcare provider or seek medical care as soon as possible. This is particularly important for babies and people with weakened immune systems.While forms of viral meningitis like herpes meningitis are not usually life-threatening, they can potentially become serious if not properly diagnosed and treated early.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of a potential herpes meningitis infection—such as a constant headache, unexplained fever, and neck pain—should contact a healthcare provider or seek medical care as soon as possible. This is particularly important for babies and people with weakened immune systems.
While forms of viral meningitis like herpes meningitis are not usually life-threatening, they can potentially become serious if not properly diagnosed and treated early.
Is Herpes Meningitis Contagious?
The viruses that cause herpes meningitis are transmitted throughclose contactwith another person or their bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, blood, genital fluids, or breast milk.
Keep in mind that just because you’ve contracted one of the common herpes viruses doesn’t automatically mean you will develop herpes meningitis as a complication. Older research found that 36% of women and 13% of men with HSV-2 reported developing herpes meningitis.
The following tests may be used to help confirm herpes meningitis:
If you’ve ever been diagnosed with having aherpes simplex virusinfection, let your healthcare provider know. This may help you get an accurate diagnosis for herpes meningitis more quickly.
Potentialtreatment for herpes meningitiswill depend on your individual case and how severe it is.
People with a moderate to severe case of herpes meningitis—particularly babies, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised—may need to be treated with medication and monitoring in a hospital setting.
This typically includes:
To help prevent herpes meningitis, experts recommend taking steps to avoid getting infected with herpes viruses in the first place.
This includes precautions such as:
There are vaccines available to prevent some of the viruses that lead to herpes meningitis. For example, theshingles (herpes zoster) vaccine(Shingrix) for adults over the age of 50 and thechickenpox (varicella) vaccinerecommended in early childhood can help protect against thevaricella-zoster virus (VZV).
There are no approved vaccines to protect againstEpstein-Barr (EBV)orHSV infections, though researchers have been working to develop them.
Most healthy adults will fully recover from a mild herpes meningitis case and not notice any further complications.
More severe herpes meningitis cases can sometimes lead tolong-term effects, including:
Summary
Herpes meningitis is a form of viral meningitis, which is inflammation of the protective tissue around the brain and spinal cord. It can happen after infection with a herpes virus, including herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Common symptoms include headache, fever, and neck pain.
For most people, herpes meningitis cases are mild with full recovery after seven to 10 days. More severe herpes meningitis cases—particularly in babies or people with a weaker immune system—may require medical treatment with antiviral medications or a hospital stay.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsMany cases of herpes meningitis will clear on their own in about 10 days.Herpes meningitis symptoms typically last for seven to 10 days.In more severe cases of herpes meningitis, some people may experience longer-lasting or serious symptoms that require medical treatment.Yes, it is possible to get herpes meningitis more than once.Herpes viruses stay in the body for life, so anytime that virus reactivates, it’s technically possible for a herpes meningitis infection to recur.
Many cases of herpes meningitis will clear on their own in about 10 days.
Herpes meningitis symptoms typically last for seven to 10 days.In more severe cases of herpes meningitis, some people may experience longer-lasting or serious symptoms that require medical treatment.
Yes, it is possible to get herpes meningitis more than once.Herpes viruses stay in the body for life, so anytime that virus reactivates, it’s technically possible for a herpes meningitis infection to recur.
26 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fungal meningitis.Tronstein E, Johnston C, Huang ML, Selke S, Magaret A, Warren T, Corey L, Wald A.Genital shedding of herpes simplex virus among symptomatic and asymptomatic persons with HSV-2 infection.JAMA. 2011;305(14):1441-9. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.420Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About epstein-barr virus.Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.Michalicová A, Bhide K, Bhide M, Kováč A.How viruses infiltrate the central nervous system.Acta Virol. 2017;61(4):393-400. doi:10.4149/av_2017_401Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Meningitis-related hospitalizations in the United States, 2006.Marshall C, Clark ZT, Minckler MR.Aseptic viral meningitis secondary to herpes simplex virus 2 genital infection.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14535. doi:10.7759/cureus.14535National Center for Health Statistics.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14–49: United States, 2015–2016.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex: diagnosis and treatment.Meyding-Lamadé U, Strank C.Herpes virus infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2012;5(5):279-296. doi:10.1177/1756285612456234Berger JR, Houff S.Neurological complications of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection.Arch Neurol.2008;65(5):596-600. doi:10.1001/archneur.65.5.596U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About meningitis.Noska A, Kyrillos R, Hansen G, Hirigoyen D, Williams DN.The role of antiviral therapy in immunocompromised patients with herpes simplex virus meningitis.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(2):237-42. doi:10.1093/cid/ciu772National Health Service.Treatment: meningitis.Meningitis Research Foundation.Viral meningitis.Harvard Health.How to prevent infections.Gabutti G, Bolognesi N, Sandri F, Flourescu C, Stefanati A.Varicella zoster virus vaccines: an update.Immunotargets Ther.2019;8:15-28. doi:10.2147/ITT.S176383Rühl J, Leung CS, Münz C.Vaccination against the Epstein–Barr virus.Cell Mol Life Sci. 2020;77(21):4315-4324. doi:10.1007/s00018-020-03538-3picknall IH, Looker KJ, Gottlieb SL, et al.Review of mathematical models of HSV-2 vaccination: implications for vaccine development.Vaccine. 2019;37(50):7396-7407. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.02.067Meningitis Research Foundation.After effects.National Health Service.Meningitis: complications.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.Ungureanu A, van der Meer J, Bicvic A, et al.Meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis in Bern: an observational study of 258 patients.BMC Neurol.2021;21(474). doi:10.1186/s12883-021-02502-3Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is herpes meningoencephalitis?.Rosenberg J, Galen BT.Recurrent meningitis.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2017;21(7):33. doi:10.1007/s11916-017-0635-7
26 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fungal meningitis.Tronstein E, Johnston C, Huang ML, Selke S, Magaret A, Warren T, Corey L, Wald A.Genital shedding of herpes simplex virus among symptomatic and asymptomatic persons with HSV-2 infection.JAMA. 2011;305(14):1441-9. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.420Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About epstein-barr virus.Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.Michalicová A, Bhide K, Bhide M, Kováč A.How viruses infiltrate the central nervous system.Acta Virol. 2017;61(4):393-400. doi:10.4149/av_2017_401Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Meningitis-related hospitalizations in the United States, 2006.Marshall C, Clark ZT, Minckler MR.Aseptic viral meningitis secondary to herpes simplex virus 2 genital infection.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14535. doi:10.7759/cureus.14535National Center for Health Statistics.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14–49: United States, 2015–2016.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex: diagnosis and treatment.Meyding-Lamadé U, Strank C.Herpes virus infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2012;5(5):279-296. doi:10.1177/1756285612456234Berger JR, Houff S.Neurological complications of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection.Arch Neurol.2008;65(5):596-600. doi:10.1001/archneur.65.5.596U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About meningitis.Noska A, Kyrillos R, Hansen G, Hirigoyen D, Williams DN.The role of antiviral therapy in immunocompromised patients with herpes simplex virus meningitis.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(2):237-42. doi:10.1093/cid/ciu772National Health Service.Treatment: meningitis.Meningitis Research Foundation.Viral meningitis.Harvard Health.How to prevent infections.Gabutti G, Bolognesi N, Sandri F, Flourescu C, Stefanati A.Varicella zoster virus vaccines: an update.Immunotargets Ther.2019;8:15-28. doi:10.2147/ITT.S176383Rühl J, Leung CS, Münz C.Vaccination against the Epstein–Barr virus.Cell Mol Life Sci. 2020;77(21):4315-4324. doi:10.1007/s00018-020-03538-3picknall IH, Looker KJ, Gottlieb SL, et al.Review of mathematical models of HSV-2 vaccination: implications for vaccine development.Vaccine. 2019;37(50):7396-7407. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.02.067Meningitis Research Foundation.After effects.National Health Service.Meningitis: complications.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.Ungureanu A, van der Meer J, Bicvic A, et al.Meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis in Bern: an observational study of 258 patients.BMC Neurol.2021;21(474). doi:10.1186/s12883-021-02502-3Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is herpes meningoencephalitis?.Rosenberg J, Galen BT.Recurrent meningitis.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2017;21(7):33. doi:10.1007/s11916-017-0635-7
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fungal meningitis.Tronstein E, Johnston C, Huang ML, Selke S, Magaret A, Warren T, Corey L, Wald A.Genital shedding of herpes simplex virus among symptomatic and asymptomatic persons with HSV-2 infection.JAMA. 2011;305(14):1441-9. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.420Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About epstein-barr virus.Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.Michalicová A, Bhide K, Bhide M, Kováč A.How viruses infiltrate the central nervous system.Acta Virol. 2017;61(4):393-400. doi:10.4149/av_2017_401Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Meningitis-related hospitalizations in the United States, 2006.Marshall C, Clark ZT, Minckler MR.Aseptic viral meningitis secondary to herpes simplex virus 2 genital infection.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14535. doi:10.7759/cureus.14535National Center for Health Statistics.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14–49: United States, 2015–2016.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex: diagnosis and treatment.Meyding-Lamadé U, Strank C.Herpes virus infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2012;5(5):279-296. doi:10.1177/1756285612456234Berger JR, Houff S.Neurological complications of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection.Arch Neurol.2008;65(5):596-600. doi:10.1001/archneur.65.5.596U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About meningitis.Noska A, Kyrillos R, Hansen G, Hirigoyen D, Williams DN.The role of antiviral therapy in immunocompromised patients with herpes simplex virus meningitis.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(2):237-42. doi:10.1093/cid/ciu772National Health Service.Treatment: meningitis.Meningitis Research Foundation.Viral meningitis.Harvard Health.How to prevent infections.Gabutti G, Bolognesi N, Sandri F, Flourescu C, Stefanati A.Varicella zoster virus vaccines: an update.Immunotargets Ther.2019;8:15-28. doi:10.2147/ITT.S176383Rühl J, Leung CS, Münz C.Vaccination against the Epstein–Barr virus.Cell Mol Life Sci. 2020;77(21):4315-4324. doi:10.1007/s00018-020-03538-3picknall IH, Looker KJ, Gottlieb SL, et al.Review of mathematical models of HSV-2 vaccination: implications for vaccine development.Vaccine. 2019;37(50):7396-7407. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.02.067Meningitis Research Foundation.After effects.National Health Service.Meningitis: complications.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.Ungureanu A, van der Meer J, Bicvic A, et al.Meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis in Bern: an observational study of 258 patients.BMC Neurol.2021;21(474). doi:10.1186/s12883-021-02502-3Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is herpes meningoencephalitis?.Rosenberg J, Galen BT.Recurrent meningitis.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2017;21(7):33. doi:10.1007/s11916-017-0635-7
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About viral meningitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fungal meningitis.
Tronstein E, Johnston C, Huang ML, Selke S, Magaret A, Warren T, Corey L, Wald A.Genital shedding of herpes simplex virus among symptomatic and asymptomatic persons with HSV-2 infection.JAMA. 2011;305(14):1441-9. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.420
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About epstein-barr virus.
Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.
Michalicová A, Bhide K, Bhide M, Kováč A.How viruses infiltrate the central nervous system.Acta Virol. 2017;61(4):393-400. doi:10.4149/av_2017_401
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Meningitis-related hospitalizations in the United States, 2006.
Marshall C, Clark ZT, Minckler MR.Aseptic viral meningitis secondary to herpes simplex virus 2 genital infection.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14535. doi:10.7759/cureus.14535
National Center for Health Statistics.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14–49: United States, 2015–2016.
American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex: diagnosis and treatment.
Meyding-Lamadé U, Strank C.Herpes virus infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2012;5(5):279-296. doi:10.1177/1756285612456234
Berger JR, Houff S.Neurological complications of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection.Arch Neurol.2008;65(5):596-600. doi:10.1001/archneur.65.5.596
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About meningitis.
Noska A, Kyrillos R, Hansen G, Hirigoyen D, Williams DN.The role of antiviral therapy in immunocompromised patients with herpes simplex virus meningitis.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(2):237-42. doi:10.1093/cid/ciu772
National Health Service.Treatment: meningitis.
Meningitis Research Foundation.Viral meningitis.
Harvard Health.How to prevent infections.
Gabutti G, Bolognesi N, Sandri F, Flourescu C, Stefanati A.Varicella zoster virus vaccines: an update.Immunotargets Ther.2019;8:15-28. doi:10.2147/ITT.S176383
Rühl J, Leung CS, Münz C.Vaccination against the Epstein–Barr virus.Cell Mol Life Sci. 2020;77(21):4315-4324. doi:10.1007/s00018-020-03538-3
picknall IH, Looker KJ, Gottlieb SL, et al.Review of mathematical models of HSV-2 vaccination: implications for vaccine development.Vaccine. 2019;37(50):7396-7407. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.02.067
Meningitis Research Foundation.After effects.
National Health Service.Meningitis: complications.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.
Ungureanu A, van der Meer J, Bicvic A, et al.Meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis in Bern: an observational study of 258 patients.BMC Neurol.2021;21(474). doi:10.1186/s12883-021-02502-3
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is herpes meningoencephalitis?.
Rosenberg J, Galen BT.Recurrent meningitis.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2017;21(7):33. doi:10.1007/s11916-017-0635-7
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