infectious diseases
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections
Key Points
HSV usually causes mucocutaneous infection but sometimes causes keratitis, and serious CNS infection can occur in neonates and in adults. After initial infection, HSV remains dormant in nerve ganglia, from which it can periodically reactivate, causing symptoms. Diagnose mucocutaneous infections clinically, but do viral culture, PCR, or antigen detection if patients are neonates, immunocompromised, or pregnant or have a CNS infection or severe disease. Give IVacyclovirto patients with serious infections. For mucocutaneous infections, consider oralacyclovir,valacyclovir, orfamciclovir; for herpes labialis, an alternative is topicalpenciclovirordocosanol. 