CNS INFECTIONS-HSV ENCEPHALITIS

SUMMARY

1. In adults, it is usually due to a reactivation of the HSV-1 virus, although 25% are due to primary HSV-1 infection.

2. HSV-2 is sexually transmitted and can cause aseptic meningitis during primary infection.

3. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can also cause encephalitis in the immunocompromised assoc. with vesicular lesions that can be confused for herpes simplex.

4. Treat both with IV Acyclovir, the dose required to treat VZV is higher.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].