Herpes simplex virus encephalitis in the elderly

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a common sporadic viral encephalitis. Also known as herpes simplex virus encephalitis, it can occur in primary herpes simplex virus infection as well as in recurrent cases. It can occur at any age, with a peak incidence between 5 and 30 years, and has a relatively high mortality rate of approximately 19%. Clinical symptoms vary greatly; mild cases may present only with symptoms and signs of mild meningitis, such as headache, fever, meningeal irritation signs, or mild signs of brain damage. Severe cases present with sudden high fever and headache. Since the temporal and frontal lobes are predominantly affected, patients exhibit personality changes, memory impairment, and psychiatric symptoms, progressing rapidly within days to seizures and coma. The incidence in the elderly is not high.