Posts tagged herpes simplex virus
A Pain in the Neck…and Groin: Diagnosis and Management of Herpes Meningitis

A 43 year-old female with a past medical history of migraine headaches presented to the emergency department with a severe, diffuse headache. The headache started suddenly, waking her from sleep about two hours prior to arrival, and was described as the worst headache of her life. The headache was not improved with home ibuprofen or Tylenol, prompting her visit to the emergency department. Upon further questioning, the patient noted the headache was associated with neck stiffness, diaphoresis, and subjective fever…

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Herpes Encephalitis

A 70 year-old male, with a past medical history of hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia on Ibrutinib, and coronary artery disease, presented with right hand weakness since waking that morning. He reported that he felt the strength of his grip was not at baseline, and his wife also noted that, while eating breakfast, the patient dropped his bagel, a dish towel, and his utensils. His last known well was 10:00 PM the night before, although he also endorsed two weeks of persistent right hand numbness and burning paresthesias in his right hand. He denied headache, fever/chills, chest/back/abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, urinary symptoms, or diarrhea, as well as any visual symptoms, speech changes, or gait problems…

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