Herpes
simplex is the most common form of the herpes virus, and often
manifests as cold sores and blisters around the mouth, nose,
eyes or genital areas. While herpes cannot be cured, new drugs
can help prevent outbreaks of the sores and blisters. Although
some cases of herpes can cause complications such as meningitis,
blindness and hearing problems, in most cases the outbreaks
are mild and short-lasting.
In rare cases, the herpes virus can enter
the brain and cause encephalitis.
This normally only happens in people whose immune systems
are already compromised, by illnesses such as AIDS, Hodgkin's
disease or diabetes, or by undergoing chemotherapy. Herpes
encephalitis is frequently fatal, particularly if treatment
is delayed. Unfortunately, since many of the early symptoms
mimic the flu (headache, dizziness, vomiting), it is easy
to misdiagnose the condition until it is too late. People
who do undergo a severe case of herpes encephalitis and survive
often sustain considerable damage in the brain areas known
as the "limbic system", including the medial
temporal lobe and those areas in the frontal
lobe responsible for goal-directed activity and appropriate
social behavior. Survivors of herpes encephalitis thus may
display dense anterograde
amnesia, some retrograde
amnesia, and severe disruptions in social behavior.
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
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