Pediatric herpes simplex virus infections: an evidence-based approach to treatment

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) presents with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations.
• While orolabial and genital herpes are common, emergency department presentations and pediatric complications require awareness.
• Neonatal herpes and herpes encephalitis are rare but critical emergencies.

Observation:

• HSV infections range from mild mucocutaneous disease to severe, life-threatening conditions.
• Emergency clinicians must recognize potential complications of common HSV presentations in children.
• High index of suspicion is vital for diagnosing herpes encephalitis.

Findings:

• Prompt recognition and antiviral therapy are imperative for neonatal herpes due to high morbidity and mortality.
• Various other HSV presentations include herpes gladiatorum, herpetic whitlow, eczema herpeticum, and ocular herpes.
• This review covers common and severe HSV clinical scenarios and treatment strategies.

Implications:

• Understanding the diverse clinical spectrum of HSV is essential for effective patient management.
• Timely diagnosis and intervention significantly improve outcomes for severe HSV infections.
• Awareness of HSV complications aids clinicians in emergency and pediatric settings.