Yes, nerves can get infected.
While the central nervous system (CNS) is generally well-protected, viruses and other pathogens can invade and infect nerves, leading to various neurological conditions. These infections can occur through several routes, including:
- Direct Infection: Some viruses, like herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), have a specific affinity for nerve cells and can directly infect them. They often travel along nerve pathways to reach the CNS or remain dormant in nerve ganglia and reactivate later.
- Bloodstream: Certain viruses and bacteria can enter the nervous system via the bloodstream, crossing the blood-brain barrier or infecting cells that reside within the nervous system.
- Peripheral Nerve Invasion: Some pathogens can infect nerves that innervate peripheral tissues (e.g., skin, muscles), and then spread along the nerve to the CNS.
Infected nerves can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the type of pathogen, the location of the infection, and the severity of the damage. These symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
- Sensory loss
- Seizures
- Cognitive impairment
Effective immune responses and multi-layered barriers normally protect the CNS from most virus infections. However, some viruses are highly efficient at entering the nervous system, leading to debilitating direct and immune-mediated pathology.
