Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 19, 2026 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
Medical News: Herpes Virus Infection Triggers Rare Brain Bleeding Complications
A new case report from China is drawing urgent attention to a little known but potentially deadly complication of herpes simplex virus infection involving sudden bleeding in multiple areas of the brain. This
Medical News report highlights how a common virus, often associated with cold sores, can in rare situations cause severe neurological damage, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Herpes simplex virus infection can silently trigger dangerous brain hemorrhages in vulnerable patients, highlighting the need for early detection and rapid treatment.
Researchers And Institutions Involved
The study was conducted by researchers Zhongzhan Wu, Fangfang Liu, Fugui Wang, Jie Li, and Houqing Lu from the Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tongling People’s Hospital, Tongling, Anhui, China.
A Sudden and Alarming Illness
The case involved a 51-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital with very high fever, chills, cough, confusion, and extreme weakness. She had a complex medical history including type 2 diabetes, previous breast cancer surgery, and long-term neurological issues. On admission, she was disoriented and unable to communicate properly. Initial scans did not show brain bleeding, but her condition continued to deteriorate despite standard treatment for infection.
Unexpected Brain Hemorrhages Discovered
Eight days after hospitalization, brain imaging revealed multiple bleeding spots across both sides of the brain. Further testing using advanced genetic sequencing detected a very high amount of herpes simplex virus type 1 in lung fluid samples. Additional tests confirmed the virus in her system, strongly linking the infection to the sudden brain hemorrhages. Doctors noted that the viral load was extremely high, a factor known to worsen outcomes and complicate recovery.
How The Virus Damages the Brain
The researchers explained that herpes simplex virus can inflame blood vessels and weaken their walls. In vulnerable patients, this inflammation can cause blood vessels in the brain to rupture, leading to bleeding. The virus can also disrupt the protective blood brain barrier, allowing inflammatory substances to enter brain tissue and cause further damage. In this case, the patient’s weakened immune system likely allowed the virus to spread aggressively and affect multiple organs including the lungs and brain.
Treatment And Partial Recovery
Once the virus was identified, doctors immediately started antiviral medications along with treatments to reduce brain swelling and support immune response. Follow up scans over the next few weeks showed that the brain hemorrhages gradually shrank and nearly disappeared. Although her vital signs stabilized and fever resolved, the patient remained unconscious, showing how delayed diagnosis can limit neurological recovery even when bleeding improves.
Why
This Case Matters
This case serves as a strong warning to doctors worldwide to consider herpes simplex virus as a possible cause when patients with weakened immunity develop unexplained brain bleeding alongside fever or respiratory symptoms. Early antiviral treatment can be lifesaving and may prevent permanent brain damage if started promptly.
Conclusion
The findings underline the hidden dangers of herpes simplex virus infections beyond typical skin symptoms. In immunocompromised individuals, the virus can invade multiple organs and trigger catastrophic brain bleeding. Early suspicion, rapid testing, and immediate antiviral treatment are critical to improving survival and long-term neurological outcomes in such rare but serious cases.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Clinical Case Reports.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ccr3.71857
For the latest research on herpes viruses, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/stds
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