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Published on: September 20, 2021
A nurse practitioner's guide to the management of herpes simplex virus-1 in children
Janel M Drugge1, Patricia Jackson Allen
1Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA.
Insights
Pediatric clinicians can manage herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infections in children and adolescents. This article details identification, treatment, and prevention strategies for HSV-1 outbreaks, which cause physical and emotional distress.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is a common viral infection transmissible through close contact with infected individuals, including asymptomatic carriers.
- Recurrent HSV-1 outbreaks are triggered by various endogenous and exogenous factors, significantly impacting children's and families' physical and emotional well-being.
Observation:
- HSV-1 commonly manifests as gingivostomatitis in children.
- Other cutaneous manifestations include herpetic whitlow, herpes gladiatorum, eczema herpeticum, and herpes genitalis.
Findings:
- Effective management requires pediatric clinicians to understand HSV-1 pathophysiology and clinical presentations.
- Treatment involves topical or systemic medications, alongside crucial prevention strategies and nutritional support.
Implications:
- Familiarity with HSV-1 management is critical for pediatric healthcare providers.
- Comprehensive treatment plans can mitigate the physical and emotional burden of HSV-1 infections in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
This state of the science clinical article focuses on ways pediatric clinicians can manage herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infections in children and adolescents. HSV-1 infections can be transmitted during close contact with asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals (Waggoner-Fountain & Grossman, 2004). Recurrent HSV-1 outbreaks are believed to be caused by various endogenous and exogenous triggers. These HSV-1 outbreaks cause physical and emotional consequences in children and their families. HSV-1 infections in children most commonly cause gingivostomatitis, but these infections can also cause various skin infections, including herpetic whitlow, herpes gladiatorum, eczema herpeticum, and herpes genitalis. It is critical for pediatric clinicians to be familiar with the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations in order to effectively identify, manage, and treat HSV-1 infections with a variety of topical or systemic medications, as well as with prevention strategies and nutritional supplementations.
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