[Chemotherapy of herpes encephalitis]

Problems and developments of antiviral chemotherapy can be demonstrated with herpes encephalitis: optimum medical intensive care and early acyclovir therapy reduce lethality from approx. 70% to approx. 20% and also the rate of sequelae in surviving patients. Evaluation of interferon therapy is not possible at present. In newborns of mothers with manifestations of genital herpes very early therapy (prophylaxis) should be possible and instituted.