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Herpes Simplex Virus, Pediatric

Paul K. Sue, MD, CM and W. Christopher Golden, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. It exists as two distinct subtypes, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and is responsible for a wide spectrum of illness ranging f...

DIAGNOSIS

  • The majority of primary HSV infections are asymptomatic in healthy individuals.

  • Infections “above the waist” are classically due to HSV-1, whereas HSV-2 most commonly causes genital infection...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Neonatal disease

    • IV acyclovir (20 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours). The recommended minimum duration of therapy is 14 days (if the disease is limited to the skin, eye, and mouth) or 21 day...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Despite antiviral therapy, mortality is approximately 30% among infants with disseminated HSV disease.

  • Among neonates with encephalitis, mortality is around 5% with treatment, alt...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • American Academy of Pediatrics. Herpes simplex. In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, et al, eds. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 30th ed. Elk Grov...

CODES

ICD9

  • 054.9 Herpes simplex without mention of complication

  • 054.10 Genital herpes, unspecified

  • 054.79 Herpes simplex with other specified complications

  • 771.2 Other congenital infections specific to th...

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